Ottawa Public Health’s latest report on the novel coronavirus in Ottawa shows no net change in the number of reported coronavirus cases in the city, though data indicates the proportion of newly identified cases without a known origin is on the rise.
The local public health unit also said Wednesday there were no new deaths related to COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus, in Ottawa.
Ottawa Public Health later clarified in reports there were two cases of COVID-19 identified in the city since Tuesday, but two earlier cases were removed upon further investigation, resulting in no net change.
That leaves the city’s total number of lab-confirmed cases at 2,036, and the death toll at 230.
More than 1,700, or 84 per cent, of local cases are now considered resolved.
There are currently 13 people in hospital with the virus and eight ongoing outbreaks in Ottawa institutions such as long-term care homes.
Ottawa Public Health’s dashboard tracking the city’s efficacy in containing the spread of the virus shows many positive trends, though among the recent data is an apparent rise in the percentage of identified cases with no known source.
As of Sunday, 37 per cent of lab-confirmed cases of the virus in the community could not be linked to travel or close contact with another confirmed case.
These figures, which represent a 14-day average of cases, are up from 28 per cent a week ago.
Dr. Brent Moloughney, Ottawa’s associate medical officer of health, said in a statement to Global News that as the city enters the second phase of reopening from the pandemic’s economic shutdown, residents should be aware of the associated risks.
“Since we are reopening while COVID-19 is present in our community, more widespread transmission risks a resurgence of the virus, which could again threaten to surpass our hospitals’ capacity,” he said.
He added it will be weeks before public health units are able to gauge the impact of loosening coronavirus restrictions on local case figures.