Ottawa has dropped out of high-risk territory from COVID-19, flu and other respiratory viruses for the first time since the end of August.
The weekly respiratory update from Ottawa Public Health (OPH) credits a lower number of respiratory hospitalizations and outbreaks.
COVID-19 and RSV trends are seen as low, while flu wastewater readings and hospitalizations remain very high as this flu season stretches into spring.
The city could return to high-risk territory in the coming weeks: a similar analysis in the Kingston area has been wavering back and forth between high- and lower-risk.
Health officials recommendations include people cover coughs, wear masks, keep hands clean, stay home when sick and keep up with COVID and flu vaccines to help protect themselves and vulnerable people.
COVID-19 in Ottawa
Ottawa’s recent coronavirus wastewater average is stable.
The weekly average test positivity rate in the city is around eight per cent. There are 10 new COVID-related hospitalizations in the city and the active COVID outbreak count is eight.
There have been two more COVID deaths reported in the capital.
OPH’s monthly COVID vaccination update says 23 per cent of eligible residents have had a dose in the last six months, the same percentage as last month.
Across the region
In western Quebec, a stable 17 hospital patients have tested positive for COVID.
The Kingston area health unit is back in high-risk respiratory territory because of a rise in its average flu test positivity.
The Eastern Ontario Health Unit (EOHU) still rates its overall respiratory risk as moderate and stable.
Hastings Prince Edward (HPE) Public Health‘s weekly COVID hospital average is two patients.
Leeds, Grenville and Lanark (LGL) data goes up to March 24, when most trends were dropping but COVID wastewater levels were rising.
Renfrew County‘s next update is expected Thursday.