COVID-19 Ottawa:

Ottawa Public Health is reporting 142 new, confirmed COVID-19 cases, as well as two new deaths related to the virus.

That’s the largest single-day increase of new cases in the Capital throughout the pandemic. We are now up to 4,530 cases here, 767 are active, while 3,472 are resolved. 291 people have died from COVID-19 in the city.

Meanwhile,

Ottawa’s Top Doctor Vera Etches is responding to the soaring case count in the Capital by encouraging you to limit contacts to those within your household.

Etches says the spike in hospitalizations, and massive increase in those seeking testing, have put our city’s Health Care system in crisis.

COVID-19 Ontario:

Across the province there are 732 more cases were confirmed Friday.

Ontario has seen 52, 980 cases throughout the pandemic, with 44,850 resolved, and 2,927 deaths.

New Guidelines for Ottawa, Other COVID Hotspots:

Ontario is making COVID testing available by appointment only, making masks mandatory in public indoor spaces across the province, and tightening restrictions on businesses in virus hotspots.

Premier Doug Ford says that starting Saturday, restaurants, bars, gyms and banquet halls in those areas will face tighter restrictions. He says no more than 100 customers will be allowed in restaurants and no more than six people will be permitted at a table.

City Delays Registration for Fall Activities:

The City of Ottawa is taking a cautious approach to the fall, due to the climbing case count

It has announced it’s delaying the start of registration for fall recreation and arts programming. It was scheduled to start Monday.

Click here for more details.

Senate Passes Pandemic Aid Bill:

Legislation to replace the Canada Emergency Response Benefit has passed the Senate on a simple voice vote.

Bill C-4 expands the employment insurance system and creates new leave benefits for workers who get sick with COVID-19 or have to care for dependents who are ill.

Biden Tests Negative:

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden has tested negative for COVID-19.

He and his wife were tested Friday morning after news both U.S. President Donald Trump and his wife Melania had tested positive. Both Trump and his wife are experiencing mild symptoms.

Echaquan Family Launching Legal Action:

The family of an Indigenous woman subjected to racist insults as she lay dying in hospital says it will seek justice for her by launching legal proceedings.

Members of Joyce Echaquan’s family, community members, and lawyer Jean-Francois Bertrand say they will announce their legal action later today in Joliette, northeast of Montreal. On Thursday, the regional health authority confirmed that a second health-care worker had been fired in connection with the treatment of Echaquan, a mother of seven.

Animation Festival Wraps Up This Weekend:

If you are looking for something to do with your children this weekend, check out the Ottawa International Animation Festival.

It includes short films specifically for those 12 years old and under, with some of the programming available for free.

Click here for more details.