COVID-19

Getting vaccinated and staying up-to-date with your COVID-19 vaccinations is the best way to remain protected against the most severe outcomes of COVID-19 infection, including hospitalization.

Southeast Public Health will be holding COVID-19 vaccine clinics for children under 5 years of age without a primary care provider when vaccines become available.

For more information about COVID-19 vaccinations, visit the Ministry of Health website.

Rapid antigen tests for COVID-19 are no longer available to the general public.

• COVID-19 testing is not recommended for most people. Publicly funded testing is available only to eligible individuals. To check if you qualify, visit: COVID-19 Testing and Treatment.
• If you develop symptoms and are eligible for publicly funded testing, contact your primary care provider or pharmacist to confirm availability and arrange testing.
• For more information about at-home rapid antigen tests, visit: COVID-19 Testing and Treatment.

Antiviral medications, including Paxlovid and Remdesivir, can help prevent severe illness when started within the first few days of symptom onset.

• To find out if you may be eligible for antiviral treatment, visit: COVID-19 Testing and Treatment.
• If you develop symptoms, a physician, nurse practitioner, or participating pharmacist can assess you and prescribe treatment if appropriate.

If you are experiencing symptoms but are not eligible for testing, complete a COVID-19 self-assessment. You will receive guidance on next steps and how to manage your symptoms.

If you have any COVID-19 symptoms (even if mild), it is recommended that you stay home (self-isolate) while you are sick.

This means:

• Staying home until you have no fever and your symptoms are improving for at least 24 hours (or 48 hours if you have gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting and/or diarrhea).
• After isolating, wear a well-fitted mask when out in public for 10 days from when your symptoms started.
• Avoid non-essential visits to vulnerable individuals (e.g. seniors) and highest risk settings (e.g., hospitals, long-term care) for 10 days from when your symptoms started.
• Follow this advice whether you have tested for COVID-19 or not.
• Make sure you know if you are eligible for COVID-19 treatment and how to get tested and access treatment if you are eligible.

To find out how long you need to self-isolate, complete the COVID-19 self-assessment. Follow Public Health Ontario’s instructions on how to self-isolate.

If you tested positive for COVID-19, but do not have any symptoms, you are not required to self isolate. You should:

• Self-monitor for symptoms and self-isolate if symptoms develop.
• Wear a well-fitted mask when in public settings, especially if they are crowded or have poor ventilation.
• Avoid non-essential visits to vulnerable individuals (e.g. seniors) and high-risk settings for 10 days from your positive test date.

Individuals with a weak immune system should isolate for at least 10 days (from symptom onset or positive test date) regardless if they have symptoms of COVID-19.

COVID-19 spreads from an infected person to others through respiratory droplets and aerosols created when an infected person coughs, sneezes, sings, shouts, or talks.

The COVID-19 virus is most often spread from an infected person through:

• Respiratory secretions (e.g., runny nose, saliva) and droplets generated by coughing or sneezing.
• Close, prolonged personal contact, such as living in the same household or working directly with someone who is infected with the virus.

Less commonly, the virus may also spread through touching an object with the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes before washing your hands.

Symptoms can include fever, headache, cough, sore throat, and fatigue. More severe symptoms such as shortness of breath or chest pain can occur in some people.

Some people continue to experience symptoms for many weeks or months after the first infection. This condition is called “long COVID” or Post-acute COVID-19 Syndrome (PACS).

To lower your chances of getting COVID-19, or spreading it to others, follow tips for infection prevention and stay up to date with your COVID-19 immunizations.