GATINEAU The city of Gatineau begins a 10-day lockdown at 8 p.m. Thursday, forcing the closure of all non-essential businesses and schools. The rest of the Outaouais region will be moving to the Level-4 Maximum Alert red zone. Initially very frustrated and moderately angry, said Gill, a Gatineau resident. For some that’s the feeling, as Gatineau prepares for the strict new measures. Residents like Gill are bracing for difficult days ahead. Over the past year, when I haven’t been able to workout I fall into like a depression and my mental health gets really bad. Now I’m really anxious every time they close the gyms cuz I know that that’s coming, said Gill.
Fast Facts: Ottawa Public Health reports an eighth straight day with triple-digit COVID-19 case counts Outaouais moves into the red zone; city of Gatineau begins a 10-day lockdown due to rising COVID-19 cases 34 Ottawa pharmacies will begin offering the COVID-19 vaccine soon
COVID-19 by the numbers in Ottawa (Ottawa Public Health data):
New COVID-19 cases: 116 new cases on Thursday
Total COVID-19 cases: 17,410
COVID-19 cases per 100,000 (previous seven days): 92.3
Positivity rate in Ottawa: 5.9 per cent (Mar. 24 to Mar. 30)
Reproduction Number: 1.11 (seven day average)
Testing:
Who should get a test? Ottawa Public Health says you can get a COVID-19 test at an assessment centre, care clinic, or community testing site if any of the following apply to you:
LACE UP THE SKATES Ottawa s outdoor refrigerated rinks will close at 12 a.m. on Saturday, April 3 until further notice. The city says you must book a free 45-minute reservation for a skating time at www.ottawa.ca/skating for Friday, April 2.
Reservations will be required to skate at the following peak times: City Hall Rink of Dreams, 9 a.m. – 11 p.m. daily Jim Tubman Chevrolet Rink of Dreams, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. weekends, 8 a.m. – 10 p.m. weekdays Lansdowne Park Skating Court, 9 a.m. – 10 p.m. weekends, 5 p.m. – 10 p.m. weekdays
SKI SEASON Go skiing at Calabogie Peaks all weekend. For more information, visit calabogie.com