COVID-19 Information

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COVID-19 Status Report

Our COVID-19 Status Report dashboard is updated at 3 p.m. on Wednesdays, with the exception of outbreak information, which is updated Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 3 p.m.

Living with COVID-19

As restrictions and public health mandates are lifted, we must remember the pandemic is not over, and some people are at greater risk of infection and severe outcomes from COVID-19 than others. Learning to live with COVID-19 means we all must be mindful about our actions, activities, and the risk to ourselves and those around us.

What can you do?

1. Get vaccinated and, if eligible, boosted.

Vaccination is the best protection against severe illness from COVID-19. We are still providing first, second and booster doses to everyone who is eligible. Learn more.

2. Always monitor for symptoms of COVID-19, and know what to do if you have any.

Get tested if you can, and follow the guidelines if you are symptomatic, a close contact or test positive.

3. Be COVID-Kind and respect others’ decisions.

Everyone has a different comfort level and a different level of risk. Consider carrying a face covering with you. There may be times when others will ask you to mask up, or times when wearing a face covering can help you feel more comfortable around people who are not wearing a face covering. To learn more, see our Face Covering Decision Guide.

4. Stick with the basics.

Cough and sneeze into your sleeve. Continue to wash/sanitize your hands often, and avoid sharing utensils, straws, etc.

5. Increase ventilation by opening windows.

6. Do a personal risk assessment.

Consider:

personal health risks
health risks of household members
employment in highest-risk settings
the type of environment (e.g. a small, indoor, poorly ventilated crowded room versus an open outdoor location with a few people)
the type of activity

Who is at risk of severe outcomes from COVID-19?

A person with underlying health conditions - including, but not limited to the ones listed below – and older adults are more likely to experience more severe symptoms from a COVID-19 infection, especially if they have yet to receive at least two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Older age – risk increases for people in their 50s and increases in 60s, 70s and 80s.
Unvaccinated individuals, especially those over 50 years of age.
Certain cancers
Chronic kidney disease
Chronic liver disease
Chronic lung diseases (e.g. COPD)
Diabetes
Cardiovascular disease (e.g. Heart failure)
Dementia
Immune-compromised state
Pregnancy

The face covering mandate has now been lifted in most settings. Should I still wear a face covering?

In the interest of protecting our clients, staff, and visitors, we ask that you please continue to wear a face covering when visiting the Health Unit for any reason, be it at one of our office locations or out in the community. We are happy to provide face coverings at our office and community clinic entrances.

Face coverings are an inexpensive, acceptable, and non-invasive measure to help control the spread of COVID-19. COVID-19 is spread through contact with the respiratory droplets produced by someone who is infected when they cough, sneeze, or even when they laugh or speak, including by individuals who may not have symptoms.

Face coverings that cover your mouth, nose, and chin help prevent droplets from your mouth and nose from reaching others or landing on surfaces.

There are a number of factors that you should consider as you make the decision to or not to wear a face covering. It is important that you act based on your own risk assessment and it’s okay to not put yourself in situations where you feel uncomfortable. Removing the face covering mandate can be uncomfortable for many. Act based on what makes you feel the safest.

Some questions to ask yourself include:

Am I entering a location where face coverings are still required*?

*Face coverings are still required at long-term care and retirement homes. Other settings, such as hospitals, congregate care/living settings, shelters and jails may have their own face covering mandate in place.

Yes – Wear a face covering.

No – Continue to next question

Am I going to be around someone who is immunocompromised?

Yes – Consider wearing a face covering

No – Continue to next question

I'm immunocompromised - It is recommended that you continue to wear a face covering in public. Feel free to also ask your visiting friends for family members to wear a face covering when with you.

Within the past 10 days, have I tested positive for COVID-19 or experienced symptoms of COVID-19?

Yes - You are required to wear a well-fitting mask in all public spaces (including school and child care, unless under 2 years old) and avoid non-essential activities where mask removal is necessary (for example: dining out, playing high-contact sports, playing a wind instrument)
No - Continue to next question.

Do I feel uncomfortable being in close contact with people I do not know while out in public, such as to grocery stores, shopping etc.?

Yes – Consider wearing a face covering
No – That’s okay, too. Face coverings are no longer mandated.

Face coverings should be worn if you are recovering from COVID-19, have symptoms of the virus or are a close contact of someone with COVID-19. Refer to our COVID Guide for specifics.

North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit