COVID Update

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At OETC we care about the Operators and other Water and Wastewater Professionals we serve. Throughout this emergency, we’ll update this page to include more information from around Canada and the World. Doing our bit to help you make Informed Decisions.

Canadian Governmental Information

Global & United States Gov/Org Information

Wastewater/Drinking Water - Organisation / Engineering

News SARS-CoV-2 & COVID-19 related

Pure Science - Be Knowledgeable, Be Informed

WHO - Latest information on the Coronavirus & COVID-19 WHO - Water, Sanitation, Hygiene & Waste Management for Covid-19 World Economic Forum - COVID Action Platform US EPA - Coronavirus and Drinking Water and Wastewater US CDC - Information for Sanitation and Wastewater Workers on Covid-19 Safety Practices for Critical Infrastructure Workers Who May Have Had Exposure US Dept. of Labour (OSHA) - Covid-19: Control & Prevention Australia - Water Services Association - COVID-19 Fact Sheet PDF Australia - Water Research - Fact Sheet SARS-CoV-2 - Water & Sanitation PDF European Union - European Centre for Disease Prevention & Control UK Water Research Industry PDF UK Inspectorate - Guidance on Drinking Water Operation in Response to Coronavirus PDF

American Water Works Association - Coronavirus (COVID-19) Ontario Municipal Water Association - Latest Updates - and recorded webinars Ontario Municipal Water Association - Webinar Pres - Covid-19 May 2020 - PDF - Weblink OCWA - Ontario Clean Water Agency - Message from the President regarding COVID-19 Alberta W&WW Operators Association - Information on COVID-19 Water Environment Federation - Current Priority: Coronavirus Water Environment Federation - The Water Professionals Guide to Covid-19 Stantec - White Paper - Introduction to Coronaviruses PDF - Weblink Stantec - Coronaviruses and the Water Cycle Stantec - Recorded Webinar (Mar 30th) Impact of COVID-19 on W/WW Utilities AECOM - COVID-19 Worker Safety PDF AECOM - Examining COVID-19 PDF Water Canada - Wastewater Test could provide Early Warning Onsite Installer - Are Septic System Professionals at a Greater Risk for Covid-19 Treatment Plant Operator News - Covid-19 Guidance for Wastewater Workers Trojan Technologies - Covid-19 and Water Aquatech - Coronavirus & Water/Wastewater Institute for Underground Engineering - International Resources for Sewer Operations

Global News - Latest Coronavirus / COVID-19 Stories CBC News - Latest COVID-19 Stories CTV News - Latest COVID-19 Stories Maclean’s - Latest COVID-19 Stories Globe & Mail - Latest COVID-19 Stories Vancouver Sun - Latest COVID-19 News Stories Toronto Sun - Latest COVID-19 Stories Calgary Harold - Latest COVID-19 Stories Bloomberg News - Latest Coronavirus Stories CNN - Latest Stories related to Coronavirus Fox News - Latest Stories related to Coronavirus New York Times - Latest CORVID-19 Stories The Globe & Mail - To understand Coronavirus transmission-Wastewater Dutch Water - Sewage Water as Indicator for Spreading of Covid-19 The Lancet-Global Health - Covid-19: Mitigating Transmission via WW Plumbing

The New England Journal of Medicine - Aerosol & Surface Stability of SARS-CoV-2 vs SARS-CoV-1 The Lancet - Latest Articles & Correspondence Nature Microbiology - SARS-CoV-2 detection in patients with influenza-like illness Nature Microbiology - Latest Articles Environmental Science & Engineering - Covid-19 resources for Waste & Water Professionals Scientific American - Are Viruses Alive Center for Disease Control (US-CDC) - Chemical Disinfectants NCBI-National Centre for Biotechnological Info - Use of Disinfectants: Alcohol & Bleach John Hopkins Medical Center - What is Cornavirus Wikipedia on Coronavirus Wikipedia on SARS - Both SARS-CoV-1 (of the early 2000’s) and the current CoV-2

GLOBAL Find the Latest Global Cases Click Here

CANADA Find the Latest Canadian Cases Click Here

CORONAVIRUS About Coronavirus FACTSHEET PDF Government of Canada

Visit often for Ongoing Updates

The Virus Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 The short form for the Virus is: SARS-CoV-2

The Disease Coronavirus Disease The short form for the Disease is COVID-19

Naming of a Virus and its Resulting Disease United Nations - World Health Organisation

On the Topic of… Wearing Masks

In the Essential Water & Wastewater industries, Operations, Maintenance & Construction staff can find it impossible to social distance 100% of the time. What are we to do in these cases? Review the resources below on the wearing of masks and alternative face coverings. It’s a good idea, acquire supplies & implement it! With reopening - The RISK to our WORKERS and SYSTEMS has never been GREATER!!! Health Canada - ABOUT - Non-Medical mask and face coverings Health Canada - COVID-19: How to safely use a non-medical mask or face covering Transport Canada - COVID-19 measures, updates, and guidance issued by Transport Canada Public Health Ontario - What We Know So Far About… Wearing Masks in Public Public Health Ontario - What we Know so far - SERIES US-CDC - Use of Masks to Help Slow the Spread of COVID-19 Healthline: Which face covering is better - N95, KN95, Surgical, Cloth - The experts weigh in

Visit often for Ongoing Updates

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Outbreak update

Did you hear, our neighbour caught the SARS-CoV-2 virus and then developed COVID-19. That Coronavirus is a nasty disease.

LEGAL BRIEFS

OMERS

CORONAVIRUS Be Prepared FACTSHEET PDF Government of Canada

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SELF ASSESSMENT TOOLS Government of Canada - Self-assessment Tool Ontario Government - Self Assessment Tool Ontario - BOOK A VACCINE The COVID-19 Tracker Canada project is an independent, non- government initiative: Report results of RAPID ANTIGEN TEST GOVERNMENT OF CANADA Canada - Government of Canada / Health Canada - Central Site Canada - Coronavirus - Employment & Social Development Canada - Labour Program & Fed. Regulated Workplaces Canada - Health Canada COVID Alert mobile app GOVERNMENT OF ONTARIO Ontario - Regulation 263/20 - Areas at Step 2 Ontario - Regulation 364/20 - Areas at Step 3 - CURRENT STAGE Ontario - Regulation 75/20 - Relief Orders for COVID Emergency Ontario - PUBLIC HEALTH ONTARIO Ontario - Proof of Vaccination (Vaccine Receipt Download) Ontario - Proof of Vaccine Guidance for Business - PDF Ontario - Get your Online Test Results Ontario - Ministry of Labour - Employment Standards & COVID Ontario - COVID Updated Statistics & Cases by Health District Ontario - COVID-19: Support for Workers Ontario - MAIN CASE DATA PAGE Ontario - Find an Assessment Centre Ontario - Book a Vaccine THE PROVINCES & TERRITORIES OF CANADA Newfoundland - Covid-19 British Columbia - Centre for Disease Control Quebec (en) - Coronavirus Disease in Quebec Alberta - COVID-19 Information for Alberta’s Nova Scotia - Government Response to Covid-19 New Brunswick - Covid-19 Chief Medical Officer of Health Page PEI - Covid-19 Manatoba - Covid-19 Novel Coronavirus Saskatchewan - Covid-19 Government Response Page Yukon Territories - COVID-19 Nunavut - COVID-19 Northwest Territories - Covid-19 Daily Brief COVID-19 Update: Information for Members COVID-19 Update: Information for Employers Mandating Vaccine Passports at the Workplace BLG-Canadian Law Firm: Mandatory vaccine policy in the workplace: An overview for Canadian employers - Aug 20, 2021 Torkin-Manes: Mandatory Vaccination and Your Workplace - Aug 24, 2021 JJS Barristers: Mandatory Vaccinations in the Workplace - Jul 22, 2021 McCarthy-Tetrault Ontario’s Emergency Management Act - Can they do that? Part 1 Ontario Government Releases New COVID-19 Workplace Guides Latest Articles Hicks Morley Orders Under the Emergency Management & Civil Protection Act Ontario (Again) Updates Its COVID-19 Self-Assessment - July 20 Canada Labour Code - Leave to be Extended by 8 Weeks - July 17 OMERS Announces Significant Plan Amendments Association of Municipalities Ontario - AMO COVID-19 UPDATE: Emergency Management & Civil Protections Act Invoked AMO - Reports & Articles related to Coronavirus

CORONAVIRUS HOW TO SAFELY USE NON-MEDICAL MASK OR FACE COVERING PDF Public Health Canada

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Don’t forget your eyes. As we know from Drinking Water Treatment, viruses are the smallest infectious materials known to exist. Virus can be present in particles of spittle much smaller than the eye can see. And from Fluid Mechanics, we know that these micro sized particles can remain suspended in the air for hours and be carried extensive distances before colliding with an object. Don’t let that object be your eyes! See how many particles are suspended in the air when you catch a ray of morning sunlight through a window. These particles hang suspended, influenced by any passing air current. They don’t settle because their density, size and weight is small relative to the viscosity

of the air in which they float. Micro spittle particles are little different in this regard.

Respirator Rating Letter Class N - Not oil resistant R - Resistant to oil P - Oil Proof

Respirator Rating Number Class • 95 - Removes 95% of all particles that are at least 0.3 microns in diameter • 99 - Removes 99% of particles that are at least 0.3 microns in diameter • 100 - Removes 99.97% of all particles that are 0.3 microns in diameter or larger. i.e. HEPA Filter (High Efficiency Particulate Air).

N95 Masks Most commonly used for Flu or Influenza prevention, these masks are effective according to the CDC in helping to prevent the spread of Flu, swine flu and avian flu transmission from person to person. N95 masks are designed to fit over the nose and mouth of the wearer, and properly fitted can provide excellent protection

Other Web Resources Related to Masks US Center for Disease Control Envirosafety - Dust Masks, What’s in a Rating Terry Ralle - Sleep Centre - PM 2.5 vs. N95 vs. N99 Smart AIR - Can Masks Capture Coronavirus - Comparing Masks

ONTARIO Find the Latest Ontario Cases Click Here

COVID-19 Wastewater Consortium of Ontario is a grass-roots initiative seeking members across Ontario from industry, private labs, technology firms, government, and universities to help pool resources and expertise to best respond to current and future pandemics. CLICK HERE to Join CWCO CWCO.ca Newsletter

Other Web Resources Related to COVID-19 in Wastewater Ontario - Public Health Ontario - Wastewater Surveillance of COVID-19 US National Library of Medicine Ottawa Public Health - Wastewater COVID-19 Surveillance US-CDC - National Wastewater Surveillance System US-CDC - Developing a Wastewater Surveillance Sampling Strategy Nature Biotechnology - Tracking COVID-19 in Wastewater CTV - Is COVID-19 detected in Wastewater Infectious WHO - Water, sanitation, hygiene and waste management for the COVID-19 virus - PDF Canadian Water Network - COVID-19 Wastewater Coalition

Sign up for OETC’s Newsletter We’ll provide periodic updates related to how the Coronavirus effects the Water/Wastewater Industry in Ontario and provide updates on regulatory changes in your Province.

How Much Protections do face masks offer?

Between March 6th, 2020 and March 6, 2022 $8.15 Mil 31,556 28,813

Recommendation Change! Recommended to Control Transmission of VARIANTS of SARS-CoV-2 Medical OR Respirator --- NOT Cloth Masks ---

Developing a Wastewater Surveillance Sampling Strategy

LOADING Please Stand By

https://ourworldindata.org/

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COronaVIrus Disease

Ontario is Reopen

Recommendations On Mask Types

An N95 mask is a type of respirator. It offers more protection than a medical mask does because it filters out both large and small particles when the wearer inhales. A cloth mask is intended to trap respiratory droplets that are released when the wearer talks, coughs or sneezes.

Summary: Cloth Masks are useful and still recommended as they protect from respiratory droplets from the wearer escaping to others, are cheap and widely available; whereas, N95 or equivalent respirators protect both the wearer & others.

Current circulating Variants of Concern (VoC’s). Visit Public Health Ontario’s Updated COVID-19 site CLICK HERE. Public Health Ontario now has “Evidence Briefs” related to many Coronavirus subjects including: Masking, Conditions for new variant emergence, Reinfection, in addition to many others. HOWEVER The world, Canada and Ontario is still in a pandemic. Canada’s hospitalization rate is still as high as the previous waves. We must remain virulent and cautious. Ontario COVID Website - CLICK HERE Ontario Public Health Website - CLICK HERE USA-CDC COVID - COVID / New & Updated / Data Tracker World Health Org. - COVID Website - CLICK HERE

https://covid19-sciencetable.ca/ontario-dashboard/

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With key public health and health system indicators continuing to remain stable or improve, Ontario has been reopened for business since March 22, 2022. For up-to-date information related to COVID- 19, the Coronavirus or any circulating virus or pathogen visit:

ONTARIO Order FREE Rapid Antigen tests for Organizations

Ontario Investing in Wastewater Testing System to Detect COVID-19 Ontario Newsroom

With key public health and health system indicators continuing to remain stable or improve, Ontario is cautiously and gradually easing public health and workplace safety measures with all remaining measures, directives and orders ended on April 27, 2022. Changes to public health and workplace safety measures The following changes to public health and workplace safety measures are in effect as of March 21, 2022. • general masking requirements will be lifted; however, masking will still be required in certain indoor settings, including: o public transit, including indoor areas and vehicles. This does not include businesses or organizations that provide sightseeing or touring services o health care settings including: ▪ hospitals ▪ psychiatric facilities ▪ doctors’ offices ▪ immunization clinics ▪ laboratories ▪ specimen collection centres o home and community care provider locations only if you are an employee or contractor o long-term care and retirement homes o shelters and other congregate care settings that provide care and services to medically and socially vulnerable individuals For a complete list of settings and exceptions to masking requirements that may apply, please refer to O. Reg. 364/20. Visit the face covering and masking page, for additional information including wear and fit. Also as of March 21, 2022: passive screening of individuals prior to entering a business will no longer be required businesses and organizations that are open will no longer be required to prepare and make available a safety plan. Contact us - ONTARIO If you have questions about what will be open or impacts to your business or employment, call the Stop the Spread Business Information Line at 1-888-444-3659