Institutional outbreaks rise in Ottawa’s COVID-19 count

OTTAWA – Ottawa Public Health (OPH) continues to report a rise in the number of area institutions dealing with COVID-19.

The Beacon Learning Centre and New Edinburgh Square retirement home are the latest to see one staff member a piece test positive for the virus.

The list of local facilities declaring outbreaks is up to 18 as of today (Sept. 2), however, only Billingswood Manor and Centrepointe Home-based Childcare are reporting more than two cases. Billingswood has six resident cases and four staff members who have tested positive. Its also seen one of its residents suffer a COVID-19-related death. Four of the Centrepointe users have tested positive for COVID-19.

Meanwhile, OPH is reporting 12 new cases of COVID-19 in the city with no new deaths.

Ottawa’s COVID-19 death toll remains at 267. 

OPH says there are 209 active cases in the city, with 11 people hospitalized and one in intensive care.

The province announced 133 new cases today after 24,000 tests.   

Minister of Health Christine Elliot tweeted, the total number of tests completed in Ontario since the pandemic began has topped three million.