The city’s COVID-19 case rates to watch are generally very high, with numbers either stable or rising, according to an update from Ottawa Public Health (OPH) this week.
       Recent data shows that respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) activity is high, while influenza trends are generally lower.
       OPH said the city’s health care facilities continue to face a high risk of respiratory illnesses since early September.
       The city is about to enter the traditional respiratory season (December to February), with more coronavirus signals in wastewater than in the last three years, fewer flu signals than this time last year, and about the same amount of RSV .
       Experts recommend people cover their coughs and sneezes, wear a mask, keep their hands and frequently touched surfaces clean, stay home when sick and get coronavirus and flu vaccinations to protect themselves and those who are vulnerable.
        The research team’s data shows that as of November 23, the average level of coronavirus wastewater had risen again to its highest level since mid-January 2023. OPH considers this level to be very high.
       The average number of COVID-19 patients in local Ottawa hospitals has risen to 79 over the past week, including two patients in intensive care units.
       The separate statistics, which include patients who test positive for the coronavirus after being hospitalized for other reasons, hospitalized with COVID-19 complications or transferred from other medical facilities, came after two weeks of significant increases.
        Over the past week, 54 new patients were registered. OPH believes this is a significant number of new hospitalizations.
        The city’s average weekly test positivity rate is about 20%. This month the ratio remained between 15% and 20%. OPH classifies it as very high, which is higher than the high levels seen over the past few weeks.
        There are currently 38 active outbreaks of COVID-19 – almost all in nursing homes or hospitals. The total number remains stable, but the number of new outbreaks is very high.
        He also said the death toll increased by 25 after the province changed its classification of COVID-19 deaths. The latest figures put the local death toll from COVID-19 at 1,171, including 154 this year.
        Kingston Regional Health says COVID-19 trends in the region have stabilized at moderate levels and there is now a high risk of transmission. Flu rates are low and RSV is trending up and up.
       The region’s average coronavirus wastewater rates are considered very high and rising, while the average COVID-19 test positivity rate is moderate and stable at 14%.
        The Eastern Ontario Health Unit (EOHU) says this is a high-risk period for coronavirus. While wastewater rates are moderate and declining, the test positivity rate of 21% and 15 active outbreaks are considered very high.