As the weather begins to cool in the National Capital Region and the school year is well underway, public health officials are expecting an increase in cases of respiratory illnesses during this time.
COVID-19, influenza, whooping cough and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are among the infections being watched particularly closely this fall. Ottawa Public Health also suspects a higher-than-expected number of cases of legionellosis, a rare form of pneumonia.
While recommendations from public health authorities have changed over the years of the COVID-19 pandemic, the main message from Ottawa Public Health (OPH) remains the same: stay home if you are sick.
Before symptoms appear
It is important for everyone to make sure their family’s vaccinations are up to date, SPO says.
Flu shots and an updated COVID-19 vaccine are expected to roll out in Ontario in October, while a new provincial RSV vaccination program for infants and children is also expected to roll out this fall.
Public health officials also reminded everyone to make sure they have received their adult dose of the whooping cough vaccine, due to a recent increase in cases.
While we wait for the new COVID-19 vaccine, wearing a mask, maintaining physical distance and washing our hands is recommended. These measures are effective not only for COVID-19, but also for other respiratory viruses, according to OPH.
With symptoms or a positive COVID-19 test
COVID-19 can cause flu-like symptoms, including fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, runny nose and more. OPH has a full list of symptoms (New window).
The Ontario Ministry of Education advises students, staff and visitors to check for symptoms each day before coming to school. The Ministry’s self-assessment tool is available online (New window).
Adults and children should self-isolate if they have symptoms of COVID-19. They should stay at home until their symptoms improve and they have been fever-free for 24 hours.
If symptoms include vomiting or diarrhea, patients should stay home for at least 48 hours after these symptoms disappear.
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COVID-19 can cause flu-like symptoms, including fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, runny nose and more. (File photo)
Photo: Radio-Canada / David Horemans
If a person tests positive for COVID-19 but does not have symptoms, they do not need to self-isolate unless symptoms eventually develop.
However, SPO says people with symptoms or a positive test must mask for 10 days from the date symptoms began or the date of the positive test, whichever is earlier.
SPO also recommends maintaining physical distance from others, taking unmasked breaks away from co-workers and avoiding spending time with people at highest risk of serious infection during this 10-day period.
Less case monitoring this fall
Current wastewater testing in Ottawa shows that the amount of COVID-19 in the region is high and increasing. Last year, cases spiked in the fall and winter when people began spending more time indoors.
Funding for COVID-19 wastewater testing by the University of Ottawa ends at the end of the month, after the province cut funding this summer to avoid duplication with testing by the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC). Federal testing has not been confirmed for the region, however.
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University of Ottawa professor Robert Delatolla (right) and student Chandler Wong examine wastewater analysis data. (File photo)
Photo : Radio-Canada / Justin Tang
Robert Delatollla, a wastewater professor and researcher who was counting on the funding to operate his lab, says he is in talks with SPO and CHEO about continued funding.
SPO has other ways to monitor COVID-19 cases and other viral infections, such as hospitalizations, outbreaks and the percentage of positive tests. However, Delatolla said a lack of wastewater testing could be detrimental to hospitals looking to prepare for outbreaks.
Wastewater is considered the most important indicator among other indicators, he explained, noting that Ottawa hospitals use the data to plan staffing in the event of outbreaks.
With information fromIsabel Harderof CBC News
