COVID-19 Ottawa:

Ottawa Public Health is reporting 105 new confirmed COVID-19 cases, and three new deaths related to the virus.

That is the largest, single-day increase in the Capital throughout the pandemic. Ottawa has now recorded 4,258 cases, with 682 active, and 3,240 resolved. 285 people in the city have now died from complications related to COVID-19.

COVID-19 Ontario:

There are 554 new cases and four new deaths related to the virus across the province Tuesday.

51,085 confirmed cases have been recorded across Ontario during the pandemic, with 2,844 deaths, and 43,450 patients recovered.

Long-Term Care Restrictions:

Ontario is restricting visitor access to long-term care homes in Ottawa and the Greater Toronto area.

Premier Doug Ford says that as of October 5, only staff and people deemed to be essential caregivers or essential visitors will be permitted in those homes. The province says up to two family members or friends of a resident can register to become an essential caregiver.

Feds Purchase Rapid COVID Tests:

The federal government has reached a deal to buy 7.9 million COVID-19 rapid-test devices from American health care company Abbott.

Public Procurement Minister Anita Anand says the nasal swab tests provide results in approximately 15 minutes, though they still require approval from Health Canada.

Racist Comments Recorded At Quebec Hospital:

One nurse has been fired, and the local Public Health Authority is investigating, after an Atikamekw woman was subject to racist comments before dying in Quebec’s Joliette Hospital.

Joyce Echaquan, 37, started a Facebook live video shortly before passing that recorded staff saying she was only good for sex and that she would be better off dead.

Quebec Indigenous Affairs Minister Sylvie D’Amours has called the statements unacceptable and intolerable, and has called for further investigation into the incident.