Ottawa sets new COVID-19 single-day case record

OTTAWA – Ottawa has broken a record it has no interest in competing for with another single-day high for confirmed COVID-19 cases.

There were 183 new confirmed COVID-19 cases today (Oct. 8).

Across the province, 797 new cases are being recorded, and nearly 48,500 tests were completed. Minister of Health Christine Elliott says that’s the largest number of tests completed in one day, to date. 

Nearly a week ago, Ottawa set its previous single-day high for new COVID-19 cases with 142.

Outside of Ottawa, Toronto is reporting 265 new cases of COVID-19, while the province is reporting 134 in Peel and 78 in York Region. 

Elliott says 57 per cent of Thursday’s cases are in people under the age of 40. She’s also issuing a reminder, the safest way to celebrate Thanksgiving this year will be with those in your household, and to gather with other friends and family virtually. 

Ottawa Public Health (OPH) is reporting another local COVID-19-related death, as it sees the number of local patients in hospital with the coronavirus rise to 32.

Of the residents in hospital with COVID-19, seven are now in need of intensive care.

The latest person to die after a battle with COVID-19 was a resident at St. Vincent Hospital. It’s the fourth death at the facility since it declared an outbreak on Sept. 23. In that time, the hospital has dealt with 45 cases of COVID-19 in its staff and 26 in residents.

OPH continues to report 19 virus-related deaths at the West End Villa long-term care home, one at the Perley Rideau Veterans Health Centre and one at New Edinburgh Square retirement home.

There are 64 institutions included on OPH’s outbreak list, as of Thursday.

Wedding guest creates 22 new COVID-19 cases

OTTAWA – According to Ottawa Public Health, an individual with mild coronavirus symptoms attended a wedding in Ottawa last month and ended up spreading COVID-19 to 22 other individuals.

Fifteen days later, 207 people were self-isolating and required testing, leading to longer lines at local testing centres, as well as kids missing school and parents missing work. 

According to the health unit, of the 207 people tested, 22 tested positive for the virus, including eight household contacts, one outbreak in a group home and one case of COVID-19 in a local school. 

The health unit said the wedding was attended by 50 people in early September, before revised limits on gatherings came into effect in Ottawa.

On Sept. 17, the province announced that only 10 people are allowed to gather indoors, down from the previous limit of 50, and only 25 people are allowed to gather outdoors, down from 100.

Most COVID-19 assessment centres open Monday

OTTAWA – The majority of Ottawa’s COVID-19 assessment and testing centres will remain open on Thanksgiving Monday.

Both the adult and CHEO assessment centres at Brewer Park Arena, and the Moodie Drive and Heron Road COVID-19 Care Clinics will operate as usual, while the Coventry Drive-Thru Assessment Centre will be closed on Monday, October 12. 

COVID-19 testing centres, Thanksgiving schedule:

• The COVID-19 Assessment Centre at Brewer Park Arena will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. 
• The COVID-19 CHEO Assessment Centre at Brewer Park Arena will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
• The COVID-19 Care Clinic – Moodie Location will be open from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. 
• COVID-19 Care Clinic – Heron Location will be open from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. 

You can book an appointment online for any of Ottawa’s COVID-19 test centres by clicking here.