Coronavirus outbreak declared in Ottawa Paramedic Service

The Ottawa Paramedic Service is facing a coronavirus outbreak but staff say the spread of COVID-19 is under control.

The local paramedic service has reported two connected cases of the virus, meeting Ottawa Public Health’s definition of a workplace outbreak, according to a memo sent to council late Wednesday.

The outbreak is currently limited to these two cases and is not spread throughout the workplace, according to the memo sent by Anthony DiMonte, Ottawa’s general manager of emergency and protective services.

DiMonte said OPH has given the paramedic service a “thorough risk assessment,” which showed “very strong infection prevention and control practices.”

As a result, the local public health unit does not recommend any further mitigation strategies related to the outbreak, according to the memo.

Get daily National news

Get daily Canada news delivered to your inbox so you'll never miss the day's top stories.

Sign up for daily National newsletter Get Started

By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

DiMonte said the Ottawa Paramedic Service screens staff for COVID-19 before the start of shifts, requires paramedics to wear masks when working together in vehicles and has implemented enhanced cleaning procedures in the workplace.

1:07 Coronavirus: Ford says new colour-coded COVID-19 control system is about ‘early detection,’ ‘early prevention’