Ottawa Public Health (OPH) is aware that families may face challenges getting their child back into school or daycare after they experience non-COVID related symptoms or illness, or after they recover from COVID-19. Some schools and childcare providers in Ottawa are denying entry to returning children who do not have a medical certificate or proof of a negative COVID-19 test, which is not recommended by OPH (as of the time of posting).
In response to this issue, OPH has developed and made available an Attestation for Return to School for Students Following Illness letter for families with children returning to school following symptoms of illness, including supporting parents to confirm that there is a non-COVID-19 reason for the symptoms.
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How to Take Your BP at Home
Taking your blood pressure at home is quick, simple, and convenient, but there are a few things you need to do to ensure you are getting accurate blood pressure readings. This video will give you the information you need to do just that.
Mental Health Crisis Services
It is normal that situations like COVID-19 can affect your mental health and it’s completely OK to ask for help. Here are some mental health crisis services in case you need to do so.
If you or someone you love is in crisis and/or at risk of imminent harm, call 911 or go to your nearest Emergency Room.
Additional Resources
None at this time.
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Please share this page with anyone who you think might benefit from this information. We are all in this together. We will continue to develop and share content that helps to keep you and your family safe and prepared during this public health emergency.
FAQ: COVID-19 and Diabetes
Here are frequently asked questions and answers about COVID-19 and diabetes from Diabetes Canada. The questions include:
How does COVID-19 affect those living with diabetes?
How can I prevent infection?
I have diabetes and I think I may be infected. What do I do?
Should I stop taking certain blood pressure medications because I’ve heard that these drugs may affect my risk of COVID-19 infection?
How can I prepare in the event I become infected and have diabetes?
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Please share this page with anyone who you think might benefit from this information. We are all in this together. We will continue to develop and share content that helps to keep you and your family safe and prepared during this public health emergency.
Recovery Nutrition & Hydration
Unintentional weight loss during illness is a sign that the body is losing fluids and using fat and muscle for energy and protein in order to try to maintain normal functioning. Losing fluids and breaking down fat and muscle can impact your body’s ability to fight illness and recover. Hydration and nutrition play an important role in your body’s response to, and recovery from, the COVID-19 virus.
Even though you may not be hungry or thirsty, it is important that you continue to eat food and drink fluids to support your body’s immune system. Here are some tips to help keep your body hydrated and nourished.
View and download the PDF guide on nutrition and hydration tips on your road to recovery from COVID-19 at home.
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Please share this page with anyone who you think might benefit from this information. We are all in this together. We will continue to develop and share content that helps to keep you and your family safe and prepared during this public health emergency.
Blood Pressure Medication
Here is some information from Diabetes Canada about the importance of taking your blood pressure medication, if prescribed to you and you have diabetes.
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Please share this page with anyone who you think might benefit from this information. We are all in this together. We will continue to develop and share content that helps to keep you and your family safe and prepared during this public health emergency.
How to Prepare
Here are some tips from Diabetes Canada to help you prepare for COVID-19 if you have diabetes.
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Please share this page with anyone who you think might benefit from this information. We are all in this together. We will continue to develop and share content that helps to keep you and your family safe and prepared during this public health emergency.
Preventing Supply Disruption
Here are some tips from Diabetes Canada explaining what people living with diabetes, their caregivers, and healthcare professionals can do to prevent diabetes supply disruption during COVID-19
Additional Resources
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Please share this page with anyone who you think might benefit from this information. We are all in this together. We will continue to develop and share content that helps to keep you and your family safe and prepared during this public health emergency.
Resources for Families with School-Aged Children
Here are some resources for families with school-aged chidren:
Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organization (OCISCO): Website
Additional Resources
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Please share this page with anyone who you think might benefit from this information. We are all in this together. We will continue to develop and share content that helps to keep you and your family safe and prepared during this public health emergency.
Stress and Anxiety App
You can now access helpful content to help you manage your stress and anxiety through an app released by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH). The app is available for download on the Google Play (Android) and Apple (iOS) app stores.
The app provides information and evidence-based coping strategies to help you manage stress and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is not intended to be a resource for people who require screening for COVID-19 or are experiencing a mental health crisis. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, you should contact 911 immediately or go to your nearest emergency department.
CAMH is Canada’s largest mental health teaching hospital and one of the world’s leading research centres in its field. CAMH is fully affiliated with the University of Toronto and is a Pan American Health Organization / World Health Organization Collaborating Centre.
Please share this page with anyone who you think might benefit from this information. We are all in this together. We will continue to develop and share content that helps to keep you and your family safe and prepared during this public health emergency.