COVID-19: Self-Isolation

If you are not at home when symptoms develop, immediately separate yourself from others and go directly home or to the place where you will self-isolate for up to 10 days. Do not stop anywhere. Call the Assessment Centre nearest you or Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000 to arrange testing. This also applies to people who are fully vaccinated.

Close Contacts

At this time, household members of individuals with symptoms must self-isolate until the symptomatic individual receives a negative COVID-19 test result or an alternative diagnosis by a health care professional. However, if the household member is fully vaccinated or has tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 90 days, they are not required to stay home as long as they do not have symptoms themselves. Please see the You are fully vaccinated and You previously tested positive for COVID-19 tabs below for details.

If the symptomatic individual does not get tested, all household members who are not fully vaccinated must self-isolate for 10 days from their last contact with the symptomatic person. If they are in contact with them every day, the self-isolation period for household members is 10 days from the day the symptomatic person comes out of isolation (which is 10 days from when their symptoms started). So the total isolation for household members in this case would be 20 days, beginning the day symptoms started to appear in the unwell person.

If anyone develops symptoms, they must continue to self-isolate and get tested.  

To find out who could be identified as a high-risk contact, visit the Testing, Results & Contact Tracing page.

Specific Instructions

Follow the directions listed on the How to Self-Isolate Factsheet from Public Health Ontario.

Some highlights:

• Do not go to work, school or other public places, or use public transportation or taxis.
• Stay in a separate room and use a separate bathroom from others in your home, if possible.
• If you have to be in contact with others, practice physical distancing and keep at least 2 metres between yourself and the other person.
• Always follow proper hand washing practices, cough etiquette and environmental cleaning.  For more details on these, visit the Stop the Spread page.

Symptoms

If your symptoms get worse OR if your close contacts develop symptoms, immediately contact your health care provider, the Assessment Centre nearest you or Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000.

If your symptoms are worsening to a point where you cannot manage at home, go to your nearest emergency department and/or call 911. Let the ER or 911 know your situation and why you are calling. 

When to Come Out of Self-Isolation

If you have symptoms, were tested and got your results during your 10 days of self-isolation:

• You can check your results online using Ontario’s COVID-19 Test Results Viewer.
• If the result is positive you will be contacted by TBDHU.
• If the result is negative, you can come out of self-isolation if it has been at least 24 hours since your symptoms (e.g. fever) started improving, or 48 hours since your gastrointestinal symptoms (e.g. vomiting or diarrhea) resolved AND you do not have a fever without using medication (i.e. you aren't taking any medication to stop a fever).
• If your symptoms are still present 10 days after they started and have not worsened, you can come out of self-isolation, but you need to follow up with your health care provider.
• If your symptoms worsen, call the Assessment Centre nearest you or Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000.

If you have symptoms but did not get tested:

• You can come out of self-isolation 10 days after your symptoms started as long as your symptoms are improving.
• You must self-isolate for 10 days from when your symptoms started unless ALL of the following apply:
  • a doctor or nurse practitioner has given you another diagnosis or explanation for the symptoms; AND
  • you do not have a fever (without using medication); AND
  •  it has been at least 24 hours since your symptoms (e.g. fever) started improving, or 48 hours since your gastrointestinal symptoms (e.g. vomiting or diarrhea) resolved.
• If your symptoms are not improving, follow up with your health care provider. If your symptoms worsen, call the Assessment Centre nearest you or Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000.

After Self-Isolation is Over

After you come out of self-isolation, continue to self-monitor for symptoms. If symptoms develop or return, contact your health care provider or the Assessment Centre nearest you and they will consider the need for retesting and provide you with further instructions. 

If you travel outside of Northwestern Ontario, you are not required to self-isolate upon return; however, you should continue to monitor yourself for symptoms.

If you develop symptoms, even if mild, isolate immediately at home and get tested (even if you are fully vaccinated and even if you tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 90 days). Follow the instructions listed under the heading on this page that best describes your new situation.

See the Travel page for full details and current guidance regarding travel.

If you are not already self-isolating due to symptoms when you receive the notification, immediately separate yourself from others and go directly home or to the place where you will self-isolate; do not stop anywhere. 

Call the Assessment Centre nearest you to arrange testing and let them know you have received the alert. Self-isolate while you are waiting for your test and your test results.

Close Contacts

If the person who receives the notification does not have symptoms, household members should stay home except for essential reasons, until the person receives a negative test result. Essential reasons could include going to work, school or child care and essential errands such as groceries, attending medical appointments or picking up prescriptions. It is important to:

• Stay home as much as possible.
• Limit contact with others.
• Work from home, if possible.
• Consider using online grocery ordering services, food delivery, or having someone drop off groceries and other essential items to your home.
• Do not visit others and do not have visitors in your home.
• Keep a minimum 2 metre distance from anyone outside your household.
• Continue to follow all infection prevention measures.

If anyone in the household develops symptoms, the whole household must self-isolate and the symptomatic individual should get tested.  

If the person who receives the notification has symptoms, household members must self-isolate until the person receives a negative test result or an alternative diagnosis from a health care provider.

• If any household members develop symptoms, they should call the nearest Assessment Centre to arrange testing and remain in self-isolation for 10 days from when their symptoms started while waiting for the test and the test results. 

To find out more about who could be identified as a high-risk contact, visit the Testing, Results & Contact Tracing page.

Specific Instructions

Follow the directions listed on the How to Self-Isolate Factsheet from Public Health Ontario.

Some highlights:

• Do not go to work, school or other public places, or use public transportation or taxis.
• Stay in a separate room and use a separate bathroom from others in your home, if possible.
• If you have to be in contact with others, practice physical distancing and keep at least 2 metres between yourself and the other person.
• Always follow proper hand washing practices, cough etiquette and environmental cleaning.  For more details on these, visit the Stop the Spread page.

Symptoms

If your symptoms get worse OR if your close contacts develop symptoms, immediately contact your health care provider, the Assessment Centre nearest you or Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000.

If your symptoms are worsening to a point where you cannot manage at home, go to your nearest emergency department and/or call 911. Let the ER or 911 know your situation and why you are calling. 

When to Come Out of Self-Isolation

You were tested and got your results during your 14 days of self-isolation:

• You can check your results online using Ontario’s COVID-19 Test Results Viewer.
• If the result is positive you will be contacted by TBDHU with instructions for you and your close contacts.
• If the result is negative and you DID NOT have symptoms:
  • You can come out of self-isolation but continue to monitor your health for 10 days from receiving the notification. If symptoms develop, self-isolate immediately and seek re-testing. 
  • Your close contacts should continue to self-monitor and isolate immediately and seek testing if symptoms develop.
• If the result is negative and you HAD symptoms:
  • You can come out of self-isolation if it has been at least 24 hours since your symptoms (e.g. fever) started improving, or 48 hours since your gastrointestinal symptoms (e.g. vomiting or diarrhea) resolved AND you do not have a fever without using medication (i.e. you aren't taking any medication to stop a fever). Continue to monitor your health for 10 days from receiving the notification. If symptoms worsen or new symptoms develop, self-isolate and seek re-testing. 
  • If your symptoms are still present 10 days after they started and have not worsened, you can come out of self-isolation, but you need to follow up with your health care provider. 
  • If your symptoms are not improving, follow up with your health care provider. If your symptoms worsen, call the Assessment Centre nearest you or Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000.

After Self-Isolation is Over

After you come out of self-isolation, continue to self-monitor for symptoms. If symptoms develop or return, contact your health care provider or the Assessment Centre nearest you and they will consider the need for re-testing and provide you with further instructions. 

If your child is staying home or has been sent home from child care or school because of symptoms or illness, keep them home, limit their contact with others, seek medical advice as necessary, and follow the instructions regarding testing and when they can return to child care or school and other activities as found on the Child with Symptoms & When to Return page.

Household members must self-isolate until the child with symptoms receives a negative test result or an alternative diagnosis from a health care provider. If the symptomatic individual does not get tested, all household members must self-isolate for 10 days from their last contact with the symptomatic person. If they are in contact with them every day, the self-isolation period for household members is 10 days from the day the symptomatic person comes out of isolation (which is 10 days from when their symptoms started). So the total isolation for household members in this case would be 20 days, beginning the day symptoms started to appear in the unwell person.

If the person self-isolating has symptoms:

At this time, siblings, parents/caregivers and other persons in the household of symptomatic individuals must self-isolate until the symptomatic individual receives a negative COVID-19 test result or an alternative diagnosis by a health care professional.

If the symptomatic individual does not get tested, all household members must self-isolate for 10 days from their last contact with the symptomatic person. If they are in contact with them every day, the self-isolation period for household members is 10 days from the day the symptomatic person comes out of isolation (which is 10 days from when their symptoms started). So the total isolation for household members in this case would be 20 days, beginning the day symptoms started to appear in the unwell person.

If anyone develops symptoms, they must continue to self-isolate and get tested.  

This guidance may change under certain circumstances. TBDHU will provide further instructions as necessary.

If the person self-isolating does not have symptoms:

At this time, if any person in your household is considered a high-risk contact of someone who has COVID-19, any children in the household CAN attend child care or school, (including post-secondary) in-person during the risk period. 

Parents/caregivers and other persons in the household of high-risk contacts who do not have symptoms must stay home except for essential reasons, for the duration of the contact's isolation period.

Essential reasons could include going to work and going out for essential errands such as groceries, attending medical appointments or picking up prescriptions. It is important to:

• Stay home as much as possible.
• Limit contact with others.
• Work from home, if possible.
• Consider using online grocery ordering services, food delivery, or having someone drop off groceries and other essential items to your home.
• Do not visit others and do not have visitors in your home.
• Keep a minimum 2 metre distance from anyone outside your household.
• Continue to follow all infection prevention measures.

This direction does not apply to those who have:

• been identified as a close contact with someone who has COVID-19 (if you are fully vaccinated, see the You are fully vaccinated tab below). If you previously tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 90 days, please see the You previously tested positive for COVID-19 tab below); OR
• been advised to self-isolate by the Thunder Bay District Health Unit; OR
• returned from travel outside Canada in the last 14 days and are required to self-isolate under the Federal Quarantine Act.

If anyone in the household develops symptoms, the whole household must self-isolate and the symptomatic individual should get tested.  

This guidance may change under certain circumstances. TBDHU will provide further instructions as necessary.

Self-isolation is voluntary for these groups; however, Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health is strongly recommending that you stay at home due to greater risk of severe outcomes from COVID-19 if you:

• are over 70 years of age
• have a chronic (long-lasting) health condition (eg. diabetes, asthma, heart conditions)
• have a condition (eg. lupus, rheumatoid arthritis) or are getting treatment (eg. chemotherapy, corticosteroids) that compromises or affects the immune system
• are regularly going to a hospital or health care setting for treatment (eg. dialysis, surgery)

Public Health Ontario has a fact sheet on How to Protect Yourself from COVID-19 for older adults and people with chronic medical conditions or weakened immune systems.

Specific Instructions

Follow the general infection prevention and control practices, including hand hygiene, covering coughs and sneezes, keeping your environment clean, practice physical distancing, and wear a mask/face covering in enclosed public spaces or where physical distancing is difficult to maintain.

Consult with a health care provider about getting vaccinated against COVID-19.

Symptoms

If you develop symptoms of COVID-19, even if mild, call the Assessment Centre nearest you or Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000.

If your symptoms are worsening to a point where you cannot manage at home, go to your nearest emergency department and/or call 911. Let the ER or 911 know your situation and why you are calling.

When to Come Out of Self-Isolation

Individuals who are over 70 years old, have a compromised immune system, have an underlying health condition or regularly go to a hospital or health care setting for treatment are strongly recommended to stay home until public health authorities say it is safe to stop self-isolating. If you choose to go out, follow all public health measures to keep yourself healthy.

Returning from Outside Canada – All travelers coming into Canada must follow Federal instructions regarding quarantine and testing. Follow the directions on the factsheet you would have been given on your arrival to Canada.

Specific Instructions

Go directly home or to the place where you will self-isolate; do not stop anywhere. Call the Assessment Centre nearest you or Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000. This also applies to people who are fully vaccinated.

Follow the directions provided on this handout from the Government of Canada.

Some highlights:

• Stay inside your home unless it’s for medical care. If you do go to a medical appointment, wear a mask and stay at least 2 metres (6 feet) from others.
• You cannot go outdoors even your own backyard or property.
• You cannot go into the community for a walk or to visit a store.
• You must separate yourself from others, including to those in your home, with the purpose of preventing the spread of the virus. See directions in the handout above.
• Always follow proper hand washing practices, cough etiquette and environmental cleaning.  For more details on these, visit the Stop the Spread page.

Close Contacts

All of your close contacts (e.g. household members) must self-isolate for 10 days even if they have no symptoms and even if they have not traveled themselves. However, if the household member is fully vaccinated or has tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 90 days, they are not required to stay home as long as they do not have symptoms themselves. Please see the You are Fully Vaccinated and You Previously Tested Positive for COVID-19 tabs below for details.

To find out more about who could be identified as a high-risk contact, visit the Testing, Results & Contact Tracing page.

Symptoms

If your symptoms get worse OR if your close contacts develop symptoms, immediately contact your health care provider, the Assessment Centre nearest you or Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000.

If your symptoms are worsening to a point where you cannot manage at home, go to your nearest emergency department and/or call 911. Let the ER or 911 know your situation and why you are calling.

When to Come Out of Self-Isolation

If you weren't tested:

• You can end your self-isolation when you have reached 14 days after your return to Canada OR 14 days after your symptoms started, whichever is longer IF your symptoms are improving. Please follow directions provided to you upon entry.
• NOTE: If you are a health care worker, you may have different criteria for coming out of self-isolation so you must follow the directions provided by your employer (e.g. Occupational Health and Safety).

If you were tested and got your results within 14 days of your return from travel:

• You can check your results online using Ontario’s COVID-19 Test Results Viewer.
• If the result is positive you will be contacted by TBDHU.
• If the result is negative, continue to self-isolate for the remainder of the 14 days from travel. After the 14 days you can come out of self-isolation if your symptoms are improving.
• If your symptoms are not improving, follow up with your health care provider. If your symptoms worsen, call the Assessment Centre nearest you or Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000.
• NOTE: If you are a health care worker, you may have different criteria for coming out of self-isolation so you must follow the directions provided by your employer (e.g. Occupational Health and Safety).

After Self-Isolation is Over

Continue to self-monitor for symptoms as well as practice physical distancing and other infection prevention and control measures.

If you develop symptoms, go back into self-isolation and call the Assessment Centre nearest you or Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000.

Returning from Outside Canada – All travelers coming into Canada must follow Federal instructions regarding quarantine and testing. Follow the directions on the factsheet you would have been given on your arrival to Canada.

At this time, travelers entering Canada who are fully vaccinated and meet specific conditions may possibly be excluded from Federal Quarantine requirements. Visit Government of Canada COVID-19 vaccinated travellers entering Canada for details.

Specific Instructions

If you are instructed to quarantine, go directly home or to the place where you will self-isolate; do not stop anywhere. Follow the directions provided on this handout from the Government of Canada.

Some highlights:

• You can go on your own property only (balcony or deck, walk in your yard) but you must keep a 2 metre distance from others.
• You must separate yourself from others, including those in your home, with the purpose of preventing the spread of COVID-19. See directions in the handout above.
• Always follow proper hand washing practices, cough etiquette and environmental cleaning.  For more details on these, visit the Stop the Spread page.

Close Contacts

If the traveler is unable to avoid contact with household members, or the household members are not fully immunized, they should stay home except for essential reasons, for the duration of the traveler’s isolation period. Household members do not need to self isolate if the traveler is maintaining isolation within the home or if the household members are fully immunized/previously tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 90 days and have been cleared by Public Health.

Essential reasons could include going to work, school or child care and essential errands such as groceries, attending medical appointments or picking up prescriptions. It is important to:

• Stay home as much as possible.
• Limit contact with others.
• Work from home, if possible.
• Consider using online grocery ordering services, food delivery, or having someone drop off groceries and other essential items to your home.
• Do not visit others and do not have visitors in your home.
• Keep a minimum 2 metre distance from anyone outside your household.
• Continue to follow all infection prevention measures.

To find out more about who could be identified as a high-risk contact, visit the Testing, Results & Contact Tracing page.

Symptoms

If symptoms develop for you or any of your close contacts, even if mild, everyone in the household must self-isolate immediately and call the Assessment Centre nearest you or Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000.

If your symptoms are worsening to a point where you cannot manage at home, go to your nearest emergency department and/or call 911. Let the ER or 911 know your situation and why you are calling.

When to Come Out of Self-Isolation

If you weren't tested:

• You can end your self-isolation when you have reached 14 days after your return to Canada OR 14 days after your symptoms started, whichever is longer IF your symptoms are improving.
• NOTE: If you are a health care worker, you may have different criteria for coming out of self-isolation so you must follow the directions provided by your employer (e.g. Occupational Health and Safety).

If you were tested and got your results within 14 days of your return from travel:

• You can check your results online using Ontario’s COVID-19 Test Results Viewer.
• If the result is positive you will be contacted by TBDHU.
• If the result is negative, continue to self-isolate for the remainder of the 14 days. After the 14 days you can come out of self-isolation if your symptoms are improving.
• If your symptoms are not improving, follow up with your health care provider. If your symptoms, worsen call the Assessment Centre nearest you or Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000.
• NOTE: If you are a health care worker, you may have different criteria for coming out of self-isolation so you must follow the directions provided by your employer (e.g. Occupational Health and Safety).

After Self-Isolation is Over

Continue to self-monitor for symptoms as well as practice physical distancing and other infection prevention and control measures.

If you develop symptoms, go back into self-isolation and call the Assessment Centre nearest you or Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000.

Follow the directions provided by the TBDHU for you and your close contacts.

Please review Important information for high-risk contacts of COVID-19. 

A public health liaison will be calling as soon as possible to provide instructions, answer questions and gather information.

Please see Guidance for Fully Vaccinated Individuals for full details.

• As long as you have NO symptoms of COVID-19, you are not required to self-isolate at home or to stay at home except for essential reasons, even if people in your home are showing symptoms, if their test results are pending, or if you have been identified as a high-risk contact of COVID-19.
  • You should avoid non-essential visits to settings with vulnerable populations or where there is a large number of unvaccinated people (i.e. volunteering or visiting a long-term care home, shelter, school or child care setting) for 10 days after last exposure. 
  • You may continue to go to these settings for essential reasons, such as to attend work/school/child care. 
• If you have been identified as a high-risk contact of COVID-19, you may continue to report to work, or attend school or child care as long as you have NO symptoms of COVID-19. However, you are encouraged to report your high-risk exposure to your employer. Employees are to follow any restrictions from work as specified by their manager and/or Occupational Health department.
• If TBDHU identifies you as a high-risk contact and is informed that you are a contact of certain Variants of Concern, you will be notified and required to self-isolate.
• If you begin to show symptoms of COVID-19:
  • immediately self-isolate at home;
  • arrange to be tested for COVID-19 right away; AND
  • advise any of your household members to also self-isolate, (unless they are fully vaccinated or they have tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 90 days and since been cleared of their infection)
  • If the result is negative, you can come out of self-isolation if it has been at least 24 hours since your symptoms (e.g. fever) started improving, or 48 hours since your gastrointestinal symptoms (e.g. vomiting or diarrhea) resolved AND you do not have a fever without using medication (i.e. you aren't taking any medication to stop a fever).
  • If you test positive for COVID-19, you will be contacted by public health and given further instructions.

The guidance above applies to all individuals who are fully vaccinated, but DOES NOT include the following:

• residents of long-term care homes
• residents of retirement homes 
• residents of high-risk congregate living setting 
• patients admitted to health care settings
• individuals who are severely immunocompromised 

Travel

At this time, travelers entering Canada who are fully vaccinated and meet specific conditions may possibly be excluded from Federal Quarantine requirements. Visit Government of Canada COVID-19 vaccinated travellers entering Canada for details.

Continue to Follow All Public Health Measures

For now, and until scientific experts say it’s safe to stop, it is important for everyone, including those who are fully vaccinated, to continue to follow the advice of public health officials. This includes following all public health measures, like staying home when sick, getting tested when you have symptoms, keeping 2 metres distance from others, washing hands often, and wearing a mask.

*NOTE: Being fully vaccinated DOES NOT exempt an individual from mask requirements. Everyone, regardless of their vaccination status, must continue to wear a mask where required unless they are entitled to one of six allowable exemptions. Visit Masks/Face Coverings for details.

Individuals are considered “previously positive” if they were a confirmed positive case of COVID-19 within the last 90 days and they have been since cleared from their initial infection.

As long as you have NO symptoms of COVID-19, you are not required to self-isolate at home or to stay at home except for essential reasons, even if people in your home are showing symptoms, if their test results are pending, or if you have been identified as a high-risk contact of COVID-19.

If you have been identified as a high-risk contact of COVID-19, you may continue to report to work, or attend school or child care as long as you have NO symptoms of COVID-19. However, you are encouraged to report your high-risk exposure to your employer. Employees must follow any restrictions from work as specified by their manager and/or Occupational Health department.

If TBDHU identifies you as a high-risk contact and is informed that you are a contact of certain Variants of Concern, you will be notified and required to self-isolate.

If you begin to show symptoms of COVID-19:

• immediately self-isolate at home;
• arrange to be tested for COVID-19 right away; AND
• advise any of your household members to also self-isolate, (unless they are fully vaccinated or they have themselves tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 90 days and since been cleared of their infection)
• If the result is negative, you can come out of self-isolation if it has been at least 24 hours since your symptoms (e.g. fever) started improving, or 48 hours since your gastrointestinal symptoms (e.g. vomiting or diarrhea) resolved AND you do not have a fever without using medication (i.e. you aren't taking any medication to stop a fever).
• If you test positive for COVID-19, you will be contacted by public health and given further instructions.

The guidance above applies to all individuals who are “previously positive”, but DOES NOT include the following:

• residents of long-term care homes
• residents of retirement homes 
• residents of high-risk congregate living setting 
• patients admitted to health care settings
• individuals who are severely immunocompromised

Continue to Follow All Public Health Measures

For now, and until scientific experts say it’s safe to stop, it is important for everyone to continue to follow the advice of public health officials. This includes following all public health measures, like staying home when sick, getting tested when you have symptoms, keeping 2 metres distance from others, washing hands often, and wearing a mask.

*NOTE: Being “previously positive” DOES NOT exempt an individual from mask requirements. Everyone must continue to wear a mask where required unless they are entitled to one an allowable exemption. Visit Masks/Face Coverings for details.

All residents of the Thunder Bay District Health Unit area are asked to follow all public health advice to minimize the spread of COVID-19.

Monitor your health for symptoms, stay home except for essential reasons, practice physical distancing and all other infection prevention and control measures to protect yourself and others.

If you develop symptoms of COVID-19, even if mild, self-isolate immediately and call the Assessment Centre nearest you or Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000. Follow the instructions provided to you, as well as the instructions listed under the heading above that best describes your new situation.