News

Community COVID-19 testing initiatives

To: Ottawa Physicians, Nurse Practitioners, Travel and Walk-In Clinics

Date: July 14, 2021

From: Dr. Michelle Foote, Associate Medical Officer of Health (AMOH) Acting, Dr. Robin Taylor, Associate Medical Officer of Health

Dear Colleagues,

Ottawa Public Health would like to inform you of two community-based COVID-19 testing initiatives that may affect your patients.

Take-home COVID-19 testing at Ottawa day camps

In collaboration with CHEO, Ottawa Public Health will begin offering take-home COVID-19...

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Lyme disease diagnosis and virtual appointments

To: Ottawa Physicians and Nurse PractitionersDate: July 12, 2021From: Dr. Monir Taha, Associate Medical Officer of Health, Ottawa Public Health

Dear Colleagues,

Ottawa and neighbouring regions continue to be classified as risk areas for Lyme disease. Both clinically diagnosed and laboratory confirmed cases of LD are reportable to OPH. Please notify OPH about all cases of Lyme disease by completing the Health Care Provider Lyme Disease Reporting Form and fax to 613-580-9640. If you have any...

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Myocarditis and Pericarditis following COVID-19 mRNA vaccine

To: Ottawa Physicians, NPs, Midwives, Travel and Walk-In Clinics

Date: July 8, 2021

From: Dr. Trevor Arnason, Associate Medical Officer of Health (AMOH), COVID-19 Vaccine, Ottawa Public Health and Dr. Robin Taylor, AMOH, Physician Engagement, Ottawa Public Health

Dear Colleagues,

There have been recent international reports of myocarditis and pericarditis following vaccination with COVID-19mRNA vaccines. These may have resulted in questions or concerns from your patients.

Information to date indicates...

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Counselling Connect for Your Patients: Free Access to Virtual Short-Term Counselling, Culturally Informed Service

Pandemic driven mental health needs are increasing as we navigate what is being called the mental health wave. Counselling Connect continues to respond to this need and to ensure rapid access to prevention focused counselling.

Counselling Connect provides quick access to a free phone or video counselling session, available in English and French (some services available in Arabic). Your patient chooses a convenient date and time. This service is for everyone: children, youth, adults and families in...

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Opioids amid the Pandemic: Supporting your Patients

The Ontario Drug Policy Research Network and Public Health Ontario have reported that opioid-related deaths during the pandemic increased by 60% as of December 2020. Locally, confirmed opioid related deaths doubled from 65 in 2019 to 123 in 2020 (unpublished data).

Significant personal and societal upheaval due to the pandemic have resulted in more people in need related to substance use and mental health. It is also likely that potential contributors in the worsening opioid crisis, such as drug...

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