COVID ends 2020 on a high in Ottawa

OTTAWA – Ottawa numbers took a huge jump yesterday (Dec. 31) and are trending back up again as Ottawa says good riddance to 2020.

Ottawa Public Health (OPH) is confirming another 122 positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the total for 2020 to just more than 10,000.

Of the 10,051 local cases of the novel coronavirus, the first of which date back to last March, 9,109 have been resolved.

OPH says active cases in the city are up to 550, and while COVID-19 but hospitalizations are at 11 people and there are four patients in intensive care today (New Year’s Day).

With no new deaths related to the virus, Ottawa’s COVID-19 death toll for 2020 ends at 392.

OPH is reporting six new institutional outbreaks, including the following retirement and long-term care homes: Garry J. Armstrong (two staff cases), Couvent Mont St. Joseph (one staff case), Maplewood Retirement Community (one staff case), St. Patrick’s Home (one staff case), Riverpath Retirement Community (one staff case).

The health unit says it’s also tracking three new community outbreaks linked to workplaces.

Overall, there are 22 institutional outbreaks, five outbreaks in childcare and school settings, and four community outbreaks listed on the OPH dashboard.