Ottawa’s first COVID-19 case has been confirmed by provincial health officials. The individual reportedly went to the Ottawa Hospital after returning from a trip to Austria.

The man in his 40’s is said to be in self-isolation. This brings the provincial total of cases up to 41.

Mayor Jim Watson and Ottawa’s top doctor Vera Etches gave an update Wednesday afternoon. They announced that, in response to this case, the city is entering into Activated Operations. This will see the Emergency Operations Centre activated, with community assessment centres to be opened in the coming days. This will allow residents to be tested for Covid-19 outside of hospitals. More details on specifically where and when these centres will open will be released shortly, though they did specify they will be up and running within the next week.

The Activated Operations declaration also means that all City Departments will be engaged in the response to Covid-19.

Dr. Etches says the city has reported roughly 150 Coronavirus tests that have come back negative.

Dr. Etches recently spoke with ELMNT, offering tips to prevent the spread of transmission.

You can get the latest information on ELMNT’s afternoon show and social media.