News

COVID-19 Resurgence

To: Ottawa Physicians, Nurse Practitioners, Midwives, Travel Clinics and Walk-in Clinics, and Infection ControlDate: March 31, 2022From: Dr. Brent Moloughney, Deputy Medical Officer of Health and Dr. Robin Taylor, Associate Medical Officer of Health

Dear Colleagues,

We continue to see evidence that the level of COVID-19 in Ottawa is rising. The COVID-19 wastewater viral signal is very high and increasing, as is Ottawa’s test percent positivity. 

We are currently experiencing another COVID-19 resurgence.

Read more

Ongoing Masking Requirement

To: Ottawa Physicians, Nurse Practitioners, Midwives, Travel Clinics and Walk-in Clinics, and Infection ControlDate: March 31, 2022From: Dr. Trevor Arnason, Associate Medical Officer of Health

Dear Colleagues,As of March 21, 2022, the Government of Ontario no longer requires general masking in most indoor settings. This public health alert is to clarify that masking is still required incertain indoor settings. 

Ongoing Setting Specific Masking Requirements 

Masks are required for the following medical and...

Read more

Mental Wellbeing Resources for your Patients: Links to Free Online and in-Person Options

In September 2021, Ottawa Public Health tabled a report with local and provincial data highlighting increased mental health and substance use health challenges during the pandemic.  In both June and October 2020, 40% of Ottawa residents reported their mental health as ‘fair or poor’, compared to 9% pre-pandemic[i]. Residents who reported worse mental health reported less physical activity, less sleep, greater consumption of alcohol and prescription drugs, and they spent more time on social...

Read more

New Tuberculin Skin Test Video and Webpage

Ottawa Public Health (OPH) has developed a tuberculin skin test (TST) video for healthcare providers, which demonstrates the proper preparation, administration, and reading of a TST. The content of the video can also be downloaded for your convenience.

The TST is used to identify patients with latent tuberculosis (TB) infection, or LTBI. Identifying and treating patients with LTBI is an important TB control strategy as it can significantly decrease the risk of these patients developing TB disease,...

Read more

Newly approved COVID-19 Vaccines

To: Ottawa Physicians, Nurse Practitioners, Midwives, Travel Clinics and Walk-in Clinics, and Infection Control Date: Monday March 14, 2022 From: Dr. Trevor Arnason, Associate Medical Officer of Health

Dear colleagues, Health Canada has recently approved two COVID-19 vaccines, Novavax Nuvaxovid and Medicago Covifenz. 

Ottawa Public Health (OPH) is currently awaiting further information from our Provincial Ministry of Health colleagues regarding delivery timelines and supply of these two vaccines. As a...

Read more