(Josh Pringle/ CTV News) — With the Christmas season getting underway, Ottawa’s medical officer of health is urging people to avoid crowded places and close contact with people outside your household to help limit the spread of COVID-19 and protect loved ones over the holidays.
And while the first doses of COVID-19 vaccine were administered to health care workers in Ottawa this week, Dr. Etches says it will take “many months” to vaccinate a large segment of the population.
Dr. Etches issued a statement to Council on Friday outlining the COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan and looking ahead to the holiday season. Ottawa Public Health reported 57 new cases of COVID-19 on Friday.
“While the various indicators tracking COVID-19 levels in Ottawa remain stable, our numbers are no longer declining,” said Dr. Etches.
“It only takes a small increase in the number of individuals’ close contacts to quickly lead to a significant rise in COVID-19 levels in our community. As we enter the holiday season, we need to continue to make informed decisions to protect ourselves and our loved ones from the COVID-19 virus. Avoiding crowded places and close contact with people outside our households are most important.”