Our researchers are leading the way in a world-first clinical trial to protect vulnerable cancer patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Thanks to some ingenuity, teamwork and an old IV stand, some patients can now have hands-free video chats with their families.

A tablet helped Sandra Deevy and her family see and speak to their mother, 90-year-old Joan Khan, as she was receiving care at The Ottawa Hospital for COVID-19. They said the video chats were the next best thing to being at the bedside.

Respiratory Therapists from The Ottawa Hospital received applause from residents in local long-term care homes for their part in swabbing more than 1,700 residents and staff for COVID-19 in a single weekend. Their efforts are part of a region-wide collaboration to protect some of the most vulnerable people in our community.

The Ottawa Hospital normally sees about 37,000 outpatients a month. With the province’s guidance to ramp down non-urgent procedures and clinics, half of these non-urgent appointments are being done virtually – right from the patient’s phone or tablet. Not only does this mean more convenience for patients, but also fewer patients having to visit the hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic.

It is normal to feel stress related to COVID-19 and all the pressures that it may present. Many of us are feeling stretched and stressed, and are letting go of some of the coping strategies that have helped us. Read on for some validation that you are not alone in this struggle.