The average coronavirus level found in Ottawa sewage remains high, but fell earlier this week for the first time since March 20. The latest data is from Tuesday (the bright red line in the chart below) and shows that the signal has increased 27 of the last 30 days. The average is about 33 percent higher than the previous record in April 2021 and about 13 times higher than in early March 2022 before this sharp rise. Researchers measuring and sharing the amount of new coronavirus in Ottawa sewage found that it sets a record for daily readings and the weekly average of April 7 to 11. The latest data is from April 12. (613covid.ca)
These records do not reflect the first wave of the pandemic, when sewage was not monitored for traces of the virus. Sewage is a key indicator of what the Ottawa Public Health (OPH) calls a significant COVID-19 surge in the city. Health officials advise people to take steps to protect themselves and others. CLOCKS Ottawa Public Health Vacation Tips:

Vera Etches encourages smaller Easter gatherings, maybe even outside

With the high amount of COVID in Ottawa wastewater, Dr. Vera Ets urges residents to limit rallies for the third consecutive Easter. 0:52
Hospitals Sixteen Ottawa residents are in local hospitals for treatment of active COVID-19, according to OPH on Friday. Two of the patients are being treated in the intensive care unit. Hospital records did not include patients admitted for other reasons that were subsequently tested positive for COVID-19. Neither those admitted for prolonged complications of COVID-19 nor patients transferred from other health facilities are included. This number has stabilized. Ottawa Public Health has a number of COVID-19 hospitals showing all of the hospital patients who tested positive for COVID, including those admitted for other reasons and living in other areas. There were 83 on April 9th. (Ottawa Public Health)
Cases and outbreaks Test strategies have changed with the Omicron contagious variant, which means that many new COVID-19 cases are not reflected in current numbers. Public health monitors and reports only cases that occur in health care settings. On Friday, OPH reported an additional 205 cases of COVID-19, as well as the death of a man in his 70s. The health unit also reported that the number of cases in institutions had risen to 52. That number was 29 a week ago. There are 14 cases in group homes, 11 in nursing homes and six in hospitals. The rolling weekly incidence rate of the recently confirmed COVID-19 cases, expressed per 100,000 inhabitants, is about 120. Tests and vaccines At 20 percent, the average positivity rate for those undergoing PCR examinations outside of long-term care is high and stable. The average in these homes is about 15 percent. As of Monday’s weekly update, 92 percent of eligible Ottawa residents have at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine, 89 percent have at least two, and 62 percent of residents 12 and older have at least three. About 17,700 fourth doses of the vaccine were given in Ottawa, not necessarily to residents.

Throughout the area

Ontario and Quebec are in the middle of another pandemic wave. Eastern Ontario has the highest regional wastewater average, according to the county science chart. Sewage data from the Kingston area includes steady, high levels in the city and another record high in the west. The sewage signal is stable in Leeds, Grenville and Lanark (LGL) counties. The 55 local COVID hospitals in West Quebec are very much in the area. Three patients need intensive care. Eastern Ontario communities outside of Ottawa report approximately 47 COVID-19 cases. Eleven of them are being treated in the intensive care unit. None of these numbers include Hastings Prince Edward’s Public Health, which has a different measurement method. Health experts say hospital admissions may not be as high due to immunity, both from vaccines and previous infections, and from antiviral therapies. Vulnerable people, including children, are still at higher risk for serious health problems. Dr. Paul Roumeliotis of the Eastern Ontario Health Unit said that while the number of cases is increasing, most cases have mild or no symptoms. It credits the fourth dose of vaccine. CLOCKS EOHU weekly update: