COVID-19

Get the latest updates on COVID-19 from our Public Health Agencies: 

• Updates from Ottawa Public Health on COVID-19
• Updates from Ontario's Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care on COVID-19
• Updates from the Public Health Agency of Canada

Other Resources 

Telehealth Ontario
For medical advice, you may contact Telehealth Ontario, a free, confidential service. A Registered Nurse will take your call 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Telephone: 1-866-797-0000

Distress Centre of Ottawa & Region
Situations like COVID-19 can affect your mental health. Please reach out and ask for help, the Distress Centre of Ottawa & Region is available 24/7 to talk. 

Telephone: 613-238-3311

Social Services
If you are in need of social services, please call 2-1-1.

With more cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Ottawa, including confirmation of community spread, we are urging that everyone either practice physical (social) distancing or self-isolate if applicable. 

For individuals with respiratory symptoms (such as fever, cough)

• You must self-isolate for 14 days, or 24 hours after symptoms have FULLY resolved, whichever is longer
• You must not leave your home if you have respiratory symptoms
• If your symptoms are worsening to a point where you cannot manage at home, please visit your nearest emergency department

For individuals who are returning from travel

• You must self-isolate for 14 days. Do not go to community settings including the grocery store. If you need groceries or other essential items, have a family member, friend or neighbour do this for you and leave items at the door.
• If you have respiratory symptoms, follow guidance in the section above

For ALL Ottawa residents (except those listed above)

• Practice physical (social) distancing –Avoid all non-essential trips in the community
• Household contacts (people you live with) do not need to distance from each other unless they are sick or have travelled within the past 14 days.
• Cancel ALL group gatherings
• Connect via phone, video chat or social media instead of in person
• Talk to your employer about working from home (if possible)
• Avoid visiting elderly friends or relatives unless the visit is essential.
• Keep windows down for essential community trips via taxi or rideshares
• You can go outside (for example - to take a walk). While outside, avoid crowds and maintain a distance of two metres (six feet) from those around you. 

For more information on testing and care for COVID-19, and how to practice physical (social) distancing, visit: OttawaPublicHealth.ca/Coronavirus.

Ottawa Public Health continues to work closely with local hospitals, health care partners, the Ministry of Health, Public Health Ontario and national partners to monitor and detect any cases of COVID-19 in the community.

How to book appointment:

• You can find a clinic near you by using the vaccine clinic location tool on OttawaPublicHealth.ca/COVID19vaccine. 
• Book appointment or call 1-833-943-3900
  • If you do not have a valid health card but are eligible for a vaccine, please call Ottawa Public Health at 613-691-5505 to book an appointment.

Individuals served:

• Everyone six months or older at the time of their appointment is currently eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.
• The Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD vaccines require two doses. All residents are encouraged to get vaccinated as soon as they can, and to receive further doses as soon as they are eligible to ensure maximum protection against COVID-19.
• Second doses are available for anyone who received their first dose of an mRNA vaccine at least 28 days before their appointment. People who received their first dose of AstraZeneca vaccine can receive an mRNA vaccine after 56 days.

• First booster doses of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna) are recommended in Ontario for youth aged 12 to 17 if at least 168 days (approximately six months) have passed since their second dose.
  • Individuals must be at least 12 years old on the day they receive the vaccine.
• First booster doses of an approved COVID-19 vaccine are recommended in Ontario for individuals aged 18 and over if at least five months (140 days) have passed since they have received their second dose (or one dose of the Janssen vaccine).
• Individuals may choose to receive their first booster dose as early as three months (84 days) after their second dose. As per the National Advisory Committee on Immunization, longer intervals between doses has shown to result in better immune response and somewhat better vaccine effectiveness than shorter intervals. Consult your health care provider for individual recommendations and to assess personal risks and benefits of receiving vaccination earlier.
• Second booster doses are available to those aged 18 years and over. Second boosters are also being offered to those moderately to severely immunocompromised aged 12 to 17 years.  
• For those moderately to severely immunocompromised aged 12 to 17 years:  
  • Second booster doses are being offered if at least six months (168 days) have passed since their first booster dose. This interval may be associated with a lower risk of myocarditis with or without pericarditis. With informed consent this group may receive a second booster at a minimum of three months (84 days) after their first booster dose. 

• Ottawa Public Health recommends that individuals at higher-risk of severe disease from COVID-19 infection get their second booster dose as soon as possible:  

  • Individuals 12 years and older who are moderately to severely immunocompromised;  
  • Individuals aged 60 and over;  
  • First Nation, Inuit and Métis individuals and their non-Indigenous household members aged 18 and over; and  
  • Residents of a long-term care home, retirement home, or Elder Care Lodge and older adults living in other congregate settings that provide assisted-living and health services.  

Vaccine offered: 

Timelines for opening all community clinics will depend on vaccine supply and the remaining community clinics will be opened as supply increases. Once fully operational, these community clinics will operate from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., seven days a week and have the capacity to administer a total of nearly 11,000 immunizations per day.

How to prepare for vaccination:

• What you need to know about your COVID-19 vaccine appointment (Ministry of Health)
• After your COVID-19 vaccine (Ministry of Health)
• Read our frequently asked questions about COVID-19 vaccination

• If you require additional disability-related accommodations, please fill out this COVID-19 Vaccine accessibility assessment form at least 48 hours in advance of your appointment. With less than 48 hours, Ottawa Public Health will strive to meet all accommodation needs, however, may not be able meet all requirements. Should you need assistance in completing the accommodation request form, please contact Ottawa Public Health at 613-691-5505.

• There are several transportation services available to assist in getting to and from your appointment: Transportation to COVID-19 vaccination clinics and Para Transpo