Ottawa’s top doctor has provided an update on COVID-19 in the city Sunday.

Dr. Vera Etches says there is a total of 27 confirmed or intermediate cases in the Capital. The intermediate cases are confirming final follow-up test results. Etches also confirmed evidence of community spread of COVID-19 in our city. Five of the most recent cases involve people who have no known recent travel history, or link to another confirmed case.

Etches believes that there could be up to 4,000 cases in Ottawa, based on the current numbers and confirmation of community transmission. She is once again encouraging us all to practice social distancing, stressing that gathering in any group larger than one should be treated as a potential source of COVID-19 transmission. She discouraged residents from making any non-essential excursions. She specifically warned against visiting non essential businesses like clothing stores, hair and nail salons, tattoo parlours, fitness centres, or banquet halls.

Dr. Etches also encouraged anyone returning from March Break travel to go straight into self-isolation, and have a friend or love one pick up groceries and other essentials for them.

There is also now confirmation of a health care worker contracting the novel coronavirus. The man in his 30’s who works at the Ottawa Hospital has no recent travel history.