11 Mar COVID-19 Update in Ottawa
First confirmed case of COVID-19 in Ottawa
Ottawa – March 11, 2020 – Ottawa Public Health is reporting Ottawa’s first confirmed case of COVID-19. The individual is currently in self-isolation at home with mild symptoms.
The confirmed case is a man in his 40s and a resident of Ottawa, Ontario with recent travel history to Austria. The individual was not symptomatic during his flight and is not considered a risk to other passengers.
Ottawa Public Health is in the process of following up with a small number of close contacts of the individual. The investigation is ongoing.
Ottawa Public Health continues to work closely with local hospitals, health care partners, the Ministry of Health, Public Health Ontario and national partners to monitor and detect any cases of COVID-19 in the community.
To reduce the spread of germs including the flu and the novel coronavirus OPH recommends that you:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, or use hand sanitizer
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth unless you have just cleaned your hands
- Cover your cough and sneeze with a tissue or into your arm, not your hand
- If possible, stay home if you are sick
- Avoid visiting people in hospitals or long-term care centres if you are sick
- It is still recommended to get your flu shot if you haven’t already as the flu virus is still circulating in the community
Ottawa Public Health continues to encourage people to connect with trusted sources for coronavirus information including the following websites:
To view the press conference from March 11, 2020: https://youtu.be/ZsJtd4Ipx2c
How can you protect yourself and your family?
To reduce the spread of germs including the flu and the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) we recommend that you:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, or use hand sanitizer
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth unless you have just washed your hands with soap
- Cover your cough and sneeze with a tissue or into your arm, not your hand
- If possible, stay home if you are sick
- Avoid visiting people in hospitals or long-term care centres if you are sick
- It is still recommended to get your flu shot if you haven’t already as the flu virus is still circulating in the community
Learn more on how to stop the spread of germs
Symptoms of the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19)
The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) can cause very mild to severe illness consisting of fever, and/or cough, other upper respiratory tract infection symptoms and difficulty breathing (shortness of breath).
- If your symptoms are MILD
- Call Ottawa Public Health at 613-580-6744 or your health care provider
- Call your health care provider or a walk-in clinic prior to visiting them in person
- If your symptoms are SEVERE
- Contact your Health Care Provider first (if available)
- If you cannot reach your Health Care Provider, go to the hospital emergency department and pay attention to special signage
Ottawa Public Health has built a checklist to help you properly prepare for a possible COVID-19 pandemic. Keep it handy for the next time you’re at the store.
Download the PDF here: https://tinyurl.com/