Jan. 21 COVID-19 update: 180 new cases, outbreak at Mission, COVID measures could match vaccination duration

OTTAWA – Ottawa Public Health (OPH) is reporting 180 new cases of COVID-19 in the city and six new deaths related to the virus.

There have now been 12 COVID-19 deaths reported in Ottawa this week, bringing the local pandemic death toll to 415.

Despite the single-day spike in case numbers today (Jan. 21), the active case count in the city is down one to 1,056. Hospitalizations due to COVID-19 are also down in Ottawa – 38 with seven patients in intensive care.

There are 32 healthcare institutions currently in outbreak status and seven childcare centres. OPH is keeping an eye on five community outbreaks linked to workplaces.

There have been 12,674 lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ottawa, with 11,203 cases resolved.

The City of Ottawa has received 25,350 COVID-19 vaccines to date and has administered 21,951 of them. Officials say they will focus on giving long-term care residents and staff their second shot with the remaining doses.

Ontario is reporting 2,632 new cases of COVID-19 today, including 32 within the Eastern Ontario Health Unit, three in Leeds, Grenville and Lanark, and two in Renfrew County.

Outbreak at Mission

OTTAWA – An outbreak of COVID-19 has been declared at the Ottawa Mission. 

While specific numbers were not provided, The Mission says due to a recent increase in COVID-19 in Ottawa, the shelter decided to be proactive and test all staff and clients. 

The testing was done on Monday (Jan. 18), and the Mission says some positive test results have come back, with the remainder of the results expected in the coming days. Most organizational policies recommend declaring an outbreak in two (or more) cases are confirmed at the facility.

COVID-19 measures could last through vaccination period

OTTAWA – While infection rates show lockdown measures are working, Ottawa’s top doctor says the city’s not in the clear, yet.

Dr. Vera Etches did say during today’s (Jan. 21) media availability things are starting to head in the right direction in Ottawa.

While infection rates are no longer increasing, they’re still high, and the number of outbreaks in workplaces and institutions is still rising.

“This virus can always increase rapidly if we give it a chance,” Etches said. “I’m confident can keep doing our best to limit close contacts to whom we live.”

Etches says Ottawa’s wastewater levels have stopped climbing but the city is still in the red zone.

She expects if people want a break from all the handwashing, physical distancing and mask-wearing, residents will all need to be vaccinated. Etches added she knows it can be tiring, but Ottawa can expect to be in this scenario for many more months.