COVID-19 Ottawa:
There are 26 new confirmed COVID-19 cases in Ottawa Wednesday.
Ottawa Public Health is also reporting another death related to the novel coronavirus. There are now 429 total cases in the Capital, with 7 deaths in total.
Ottawa’s Top Doctor Vera Etches says modelling suggests there could be between 11,000 and 34,000 cases in total, reminding us that many carriers might not even know they have it. Meanwhile, two more outbreaks are being reported at Carlingview Manor Home, and Madonna Care Community Senior Residence.
Community Assessment Centre Criteria Update:
More people can now be tested for COVID-19 at the Community Assessment Centre operating out of Brewer Arena.
Health and long-term care workers, as well as other essential service providers, including utility and grocery store employees who have respiratory symptoms can now be tested at the facility that opened up last month.
Previously you could only be tested if you had traveled out of country, or been in contact with someone who tested positive for the virus, and had respiratory illness symptoms.
COVID-19 Ontario:
Ontario is reporting 550 new cases of COVID-19 Wednesday, the largest single-day increase yet.
The number represents an increase of 11.6 per cent over yesterday’s total. It also includes 21 more deaths. Meanwhile, Premier Doug Ford is losing patience with the pace of testing for COVID-19, and he wants more done starting Thursday. He says he wants to see every long-term care resident, every front-line health-care worker and every first responder tested.
The government says Ontario’s capacity is actually at 13,000 tests per day now, but only about 3,500 are being submitted through assessment centres.
Nursing Homes Concern:
Ontario’s registered nurses’ association is calling on the province to ensure staff at long-term care homes work in only one facility during the COVID-19 outbreak.
C-E-O Doris Grinspun says she’s been asking for the change for weeks to help stop the spread of the virus in nursing and retirement homes — but no action has been taken. Grinspun says staff work at multiple sites because they’re unable to get full-time work.
Police Release Shooting Update:
Ottawa Police have released an update on their investigation into the fatal shooting on Gilmour Street back in January.
Investigators have released a surveillance video shot in the area around the time of the shooting back on January 8, and are hoping you can help them identify the person captured in the footage, as well as the driver of a light-colored vehicle passing through at the end of the clip.
Click here to watch the video, and call Police or Crime Stoppers if you have more information.
Police Seek Suspects in Swarming Robbery:
Ottawa Police needs your help as they work to identify two men they believe were involved in a violent robbery near Billings Bridge.
Investigators say the two men assaulted another man, leaving him with minor injuries, and took some personal property on Bank Street, around 5:30 pm on March 6. Call Police or Crime Stoppers if you have more information.