Kanata North COVID-19 Update May 4

Good evening Kanata North,  

I hope everyone had a great weekend and enjoyed the beautiful weather we had. It is finally starting to feel like spring! I spent it doing yard work, painting my daughter’s room, and enjoying some of the many trails in Kanata North with my family while practicing physical distancing. Please remember that even though the weather is now starting to be more enjoyable, it does not mean that physical distancing can stop. Please give others space when outside. Whether you are walking, on a bicycle, jogging, or hiking, please be respectful of others and ensure you keep a 2-metre distance at all times.

Kanata North Updates: 

  • This week is mental health awareness week. Your mental health is just as important as your physical health. I know that COVID-19 adds an extra challenge to our overall mental health for individuals as well as organizations that are trying to offer support. During these challenging times OPH has created a page with the information that is currently offered. Additionally, my website lists community resources that are currently available to support your mental health. Please remember, it’s okay not to be okay. 
  • Don’t forget, Mother’s Day is this Sunday! Celebrate Mom by supporting local. Many Kanata North businesses are offering special Mother’s Day services. You can find the list here. I will continue to update this list with your feedback. 
  • Join me on Wednesday, May 6th at 1 p.m. for a Live COVID-19 discussion with Ottawa’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Vera Etches, and Queensway Carleton Hospital President & CEO, Dr. Andrew Falconer. I will be streaming the conversation live on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, and if you’re not on social media, you can follow it on my website. I know many of you have questions regarding the pandemic. I encourage you to use this opportunity to share your questions with the experts. You can submit ahead of time by posting your questions here or submitting a question on my website here.  

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City of Ottawa/Ottawa Public Health (OPH) Updates: 

Today, the City of Ottawa and Ottawa Public Health shared the following updates: 

  • Today, OPH has reported 21 new cases in Ottawa and tragically 35 deaths that are all linked to long term care homes. To date, there have been 1,504 cases, including 127 deaths. These numbers remind us of the importance of staying home as much as possible.  
  • In Ottawa, there are currently 24 outbreaks in institutions, one of them is the Red Oak retirement residence in our community. An outbreak is declared when there is one case or more from a resident or a worker. I have been in constant communication with OPH and I know they will do everything they can to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.   
  • Community Gardens are important for food security within communities. Kanata North is fortunate to have one in the Hydro Corridor in Morgan’s Grant. Today, OPH released recommendations for community gardens to operate safely. The information provides direction for volunteers and gardeners to stop the spread of COVID-19, including physical distancing, creating an operational plan, how to properly disinfect tools and more.  
  • OPH has expanded the list of those recommended to get tested to anyone over the age of 60 who is experiencing any symptoms. Testing is available at any COVID-19 Assessment Centre or COVID-19 Care Clinic. You can find a complete list of symptoms here. 
  • This weekend, the Ottawa Paramedics continued to work with OPH and the Ottawa Hospital to test residents and workers in vulnerable settings like the long term care homes. This is important as these are particularly vulnerable areas where we must do everything we can to reduce the spread of COVID-19. This additional surveillance will allow OPH to have a better understanding on the spread of the virus.

Provincial Government Updates: 

The Government of Ontario shared the following updates today: 

  • The Ontario government has developed an integrated laboratory system, which has established the province as a national leader in daily testing volumes per capita. To better identify cases and stop the spread of COVID-19, Ontario has significantly increased testing and contact tracing capacity. Testing is being implemented at hospitals, long-term care homes, group homes, shelters, emergency childcare centres, and other congregate settings. Once labs receive the test samples, they can provide results generally within 24 to 48 hours. Over 342,000 tests have been completed in Ontario, with results available to patients through the user-friendly online portal, developed to help ease pressure on frontline workers, allowing them to focus their efforts on combating COVID-19. 
  • The new integrated laboratory system will support the province’s health care system and laboratory network beyond the COVID-19 pandemic. The provincewide testing network consists of more than 20 organizations and is coordinating and leveraging the diverse expertise located throughout the province. This is being achieved through daily check-ins and processes that address operational needs, such as: 
    • Levels of supplies, expected supply consumption per day, inventory replenishment and other supply chain issues. 
    • Equipment information. 
    • Technical capacity and advances. 
    • Test turn-around times and the shifting of test samples to laboratories that have spare processing capacity. 
    • Ongoing scientific and technical review of test performance. 
    • Alternative approaches to processing. 
    • Emerging technology. 
  • The Ontario Government is providing temporary relief to industrial and commercial electricity consumers by deferring a portion of Global Adjustment (GA) charges for those that do not participate in the Regulated Price Plan for the period starting from April 2020. The government intends to keep this emergency order in place until May 31, 2020. 
  • Today, some businesses were permitted to open as the spread of COVID-19 slows down. Businesses allowed to open must follow the strict guidelines provided by health officials. You can find a complete list of businesses permitted to be open here.  

Federal Government Updates: 

Today, the Government of Canada shared these updates: 

  • Combatting COVID-19 requires a global effort, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau shared that Canada and international partners launched the Coronavirus Global Response. The goal of this online pledging event is to raise $8 billion USD to help researchers and innovators develop solutions to: test, treat, protect people, and to prevent the further spread of COVID-19.  
  • The government of Canada has invested $850 million to support the fundraising. This includes funding to: 
    • Mobilize Canadian researchers’ and life sciences companies’ coronavirus research and development of medical countermeasures. 
    • Support accelerated vaccine development, through the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations and other partners. 
    • Find a safe and effective treatment for COVID-19 through the World Health Organization (WHO) Solidarity Trial. 
    • Coordinate a COVID-19 viral and host genome sequencing effort across Canada. 
    • Help provide COVID-19 diagnostic support to more than 20 partner countries. 
    • Create strategies to tackle misinformation, stigma, and fear. 
  • In order to continue receiving your Canadian Emergency Response Benefit (CERB), you must re-apply every 4 weeks. You can re-apply through your CRA account.  

I hope you continue to find these updates on the COVID-19 situation helpful. Please remember that the most important thing you can do is follow physical distancing guidance and maintain isolated if required.  

Reach out anytime and keep healthy.