With viruses like RSV, influenza (flu) and COVID-19 circulating around our communities and across the province this fall, the chances of getting sick increases as we spend more time indoors together.
This makes it especially important to use the layers of protection to reduce the risk of becoming ill and protect those closest to us, especially those who are at higher risk of severe illness.
Each layer of protection helps prevent the spread of germs but when combined together, they lower the risk of illness impacting our schools, workplaces and heath care system.
As always, it’s important for everyone to show kindness and respect to the decisions of others.
Masks remain an important layer of protection. Everyone is strongly encouraged to wear a well-fitted high-quality mask in indoor settings. This is especially important in places that may be crowded, poorly ventilated or where you will have close contact with others.
Masks are also strongly recommended for those who are more vulnerable to illness. Their household members should also wear a mask to reduce their likelihood of getting COVID-19 and passing it on.
If you are exposed to COVID-19 (or someone with symptoms), in your household or not, it is recommended that you wear a high-quality, well-fitted mask for 10 days after exposure.
If you tested positive or have symptoms of COVID-19, you're recommended to wear a high-quality, well-fitted mask for a total of 10 days after symptom onset or the date of the test (whichever came first).
In the above two scenarios, individuals should also avoid activities where mask removal is necessary (such as dining out, high contact sports or playing instruments at school), with the exception of essential activities like eating in a shared space at school/work while maintaining as much distancing from others as possible. Individuals who are exempt from masking (e.g. children under two years of age, etc.) may return to public settings without masking.
Masks are still required in some places and situations, including:
In long-term care and retirement homes.
When in a business, organization or facility with its own masking policy.
Note that although not required, masking is also recommended for other high-risk congregate living and acute care settings.
Everyone is strongly encouraged to get vaccinated against COVID-19 and stay up to date on all recommended COVID-19 vaccine doses, including any booster dose(s), when eligible, even if previously infected with the virus. It is never too late!
People who are have received a full primary COVID-19 vaccine series have a significantly lower risk of severe illness and hospitalization. People with a booster dose(s) have a reduced chance of getting infected if they are exposed. If you don’t get infected, you won’t get sick and then be at risk of experiencing Long COVID. You also won’t pass the virus on to your family, friends or others around you.
Anyone aged 6 months and older is also recommended to get their flu shot as soon as possible. Some of the symptoms of COVID-19 are similar to the flu, and it may be hard to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone. The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) advises that COVID-19 vaccines may be given at the same time as the flu vaccine to anyone 5 years or older.
Continue screening for COVID-19 symptoms every day. Ensure all of your family members are screening too.
If you experience symptoms or feel sick, stay home. Do not attend public places, social gatherings or school or work in person. Follow the instructions at Ontario Public Health Measures and Advice for yourself and household members.
If you have symptoms and are eligible, go for a PCR test at an assessment centre. It is an accurate test and will tell you if you have COVID-19. Knowing whether or not you have the virus will help you and those around you.
If you are not eligible for a PCR test, use a rapid antigen test. These are available through many schools, workplaces and community locations, such as pharmacies. They may also be available through Indigenous organizations.
For instructions on how to perform a rapid antigen test, refer to the directions in the test kit and review the How to Collect a Sample resource.
A single negative rapid antigen test in an individual with COVID-19 symptoms does not mean that they do not have COVID-19 infection, and the symptomatic individual should not end their isolation on this basis.
If two consecutive rapid antigen tests, separated by 24-48 hours, are both negative, the symptomatic individual is less likely to have COVID-19 infection, and they are advised to self-isolate until they have no fever and symptoms are improving for at least 24 hours (or 48 hours if gastrointestinal symptoms).
A positive rapid antigen test in an individual with COVID-19 symptoms is highly indicative that the individual has COVID-19, and the individual should self-isolate. Follow the instructions at Ontario Public Health Measures and Advice for yourself and household members.
If you are not tested, it is best assume that you have COVID-19. Stay home and follow the instructions at Ontario Public Health Measures and Advice. This helps to avoid spreading any virus to others, whether it’s actually COVID-19 or something else.
If you have any questions about testing or isolation, call the Ontario Testing and Isolation Information Line at 1-888-777-0730.
You may be infected with the virus, especially if someone in your household has COVID-19 or you were in close contact with someone else who has it.
You can pass the virus on to others before you develop symptoms.
It’s important to take additional precautions for 10 days from the exposure to limit the chance that you pass COVID-19 on. You may be recommended to self-isolate depending on your age and vaccination status. Visit Ontario Public Health Measures and Advice to determine if you should self-isolate.
Wear a well-fitted high-quality mask for this period of time and avoid activities where you might need to take the mask off.
Also avoid visiting people who are vulnerable to serious illness (or high-risk settings like long-term care homes, congregate living centres, etc.)
Try to stay away from others in your household as much as possible. The people you live with are at the highest risk of getting COVID-19 too.
Most people will usually recover and are less likely to pass the virus on to others after 5-7 days since symptoms started. However, it is important to take additional precautions for the full risk period of 10 days.
Inform your close contacts that they have been exposed so they can manage themselves accordingly. They should take additional precautions to protect themselves and those around them.
Access treatment if you are eligible - more information is in the tab below.
Where possible, try to keep physical distance from others outside of your household.
Wash/sanitize your hands often.
Clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces regularly.
Spend time outside where there is a lower risk of the virus spreading compared to indoor environments. When indoors, keep spaces well-ventilated (i.e. open windows) and ensure the air system is working properly. Using HEPA filters in the HVAC system or in stand-alone air purification units can also be helpful.
Know how to reduce your risk of COVID-19 when hosting or attending a social gathering.
Most people who get COVID-19 are able to manage their symptoms at home. However, treatment options are available to those who are at highest risk of getting seriously ill from the virus.
Use the COVID-19 Antiviral Treatment Screener to determine if you are at higher risk of severe COVID-19 and may benefit from these treatments. You can use this screener even if you do not have symptoms, to be prepared in case you get sick.
Treatment must be given early to prevent serious illness and hospitalization. Do not wait for symptoms to become severe before seeking help. Reach out to a health care provider or attend a COVID-19 clinical assessment centre. Information on How to Get Treatment is also available from the Ministry of Health.
If you have concerns about your mental health (COVID-19 related or not), please know that your feelings and experiences are valid. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to improving and supporting mental health, however, TBDHU has collected a series of tips and resources that may be helpful on the Mental Health page.
TBDHU continues to:
Monitor the COVID-19 situation in our communities and work with office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health if indicators begin to trend in a concerning way.
Keep our community informed of ways to protect themselves from COVID-19.
Collaborate with various community partners.
Conduct case and contact management in highest risk settings using the most updated public health guidance.
Support schools, workplaces and other settings to reduce the risk of COVID-19.
Enhance infection prevention and control programming in various places, especially high-risk settings.
