Coronavirus (COVID-19)

COVID-19 Protocols

In Canada, we continue to adapt to living with and managing COVID-19 for the long term. It is essential to protect ourselves and others, especially during the respiratory illness season. Here are key measures to maintain our health:

• Stay up to date on COVID-19 vaccines and flu shots.
• Wear a tight-fitting, well-constructed mask in indoor public settings, especially if you are at higher risk of severe infection.
• Follow masking requirements in hospitals, long-term care homes, and other healthcare spaces.
• Stay home when you are sick and wear a mask until day 10 from symptom onset.
• Wash your hands often.
• Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze.
• Regularly clean high-touch surfaces.
• Optimize indoor air quality.
• If you are at high risk, talk to your healthcare provider about antiviral treatment options in case you get sick.

COVID-19 Symptoms

Symptoms of COVID-19 and its variants can range from mild, like the flu and other respiratory infections, to severe. If you feel sick, it is crucial to stay home and consult a primary care provider or doctor if necessary.

Assume you may have COVID-19 and could be contagious if you experience:

• Any one or more of: fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath, decreased or loss of taste or smell.
• Any two or more of: runny nose or nasal congestion, headache, extreme fatigue, sore throat, muscle aches or joint pain, gastrointestinal symptoms (such as vomiting or diarrhea).

Self-Isolation Guidelines

If you have symptoms of COVID-19, stay home and self-isolate until all the following conditions are met:

• Your symptoms have been improving for at least 24 hours (or 48 hours if you had nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea).
• You do not have a fever.
• You have not developed additional symptoms.

Additional Resources

For more information, refer to Ontario COVID-19 Information.
https://www.ontario.ca/page/protection-covid-19-and-other-respiratory-illnesses#section-0

If you work in a high-risk setting (such as a hospital or long-term care facility) and have symptoms of COVID-19 or tested positive, call Priority Healthcare to report your illness and receive guidance on when to return to work.