Updates from Dr. Jim Chirico, Medical Officer of Health

Dr. Jim Chirico provides an update on our pandemic response every week. Watch the Press Conferences and view Media Q&A.

Testing

For more information: COVID-19 testing. 

Test Results

Symptoms

Symptoms of COVID-19 range from mild — like the flu and other common respiratory infections — to severe. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to someone with COVID-19.

Call 911 if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms:

• severe difficulty breathing (struggling for each breath, can only speak in single words)
• severe chest pain (constant tightness or crushing sensation)
• feeling confused or unsure of where you are
• losing consciousness

What You Can Do

• Download the COVID Alert App on your smartphone
• Get fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as soon as possible. 
• Limit social gatherings to no more than 100 people outdoors and 25 people indoors. 
• Limit exercise and recreation to spaces where physical distancing is possible.
• Limit travel outside of our district, especially to areas with high numbers of COVID-19 cases, unless for emergencies or urgent medical appointments.

In addition, protect your health and help reduce the spread of COVID-19 in our community by using these simple, easy and routine practices:

• Practice physical distancing. Stay two metres (six feet) from anyone you don't live with. If you live alone, you may consider having close contact with one other home.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Sneeze and cough into your sleeve.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
• Wear a face covering indoors and outdoors when physical distancing is a challenge, unless exempt.
• Clean high touch surfaces frequently.
• Avoid contact with people who have symptoms of COVID-19.
• If you have symptoms, stay home, self-isolate immediately and arrange to be tested.
  

Although rare, there have been reports of people getting COVID-19 more than once. To protect yourself and others, the Health Unit recommends that people who recover from COVID-19 continue to practice all public health measures.

More information:

• COVID-19 Regulations, Restrictions and Recommendations
  
• Government of Ontario: 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19): What you need to know to help you and your family stay healthy
• Public Health Ontario: How to Protect Yourself from COVID-19. Older Adults and People with Chronic Medical Conditions or Weakened Immune Systems
• Government of Ontario: Statement from the Chief Medical Officer of Health (March 30, 2020) 
• Government of Ontario: How to Self-Isolate 

School and Child Care Information

Find information on screening, symptoms and return to school/child care.

You can also contact our call centre at 1-844-478-1400.

Resources for Municipalities

Municipalities have a role to play when it comes to protecting individuals in their communities. There are many public spaces and it is important to have measures in place in order to make them safe for everyone. Here is a list of resources to help you do that:

• COVID-19 Public Health Guidance for Use of Public Washrooms
• COVID-19 Public Health Guidance for Public Beaches

How COVID-19 Spreads

COVID-19 causes infections of the nose, throat and lungs.

The virus is most commonly spread from an infected person through:

• Respiratory droplets and aerosols (smaller droplets that stay in the air) created when you cough or sneeze.
• Close, prolonged personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands.
• Touching something with the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose or eyes before washing your hands.

How long does the virus survive on surfaces?

It is not certain how long the virus that causes COVID-19 survives on surfaces, but it seems to behave like other coronaviruses. Studies suggest that COVID-19 (including preliminary information on the COVID-19 virus) may persist on surfaces for a few hours or up to several days. This may vary under different conditions (e.g. type of surface, temperature or humidity of the environment).

If you think a surface may be infected, clean it with simple disinfectant to kill the virus and protect yourself and others. Clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water. Avoid touching your eyes, mouth, or nose.

About VOCs

VOC stands for Variant of Concern. Variants are viruses that have changed or mutated. Although common in coronaviruses, a variant becomes a VOC when its changes have a clinical or public health significance that affects transmissibility (how fast it spreads), severity, vaccine effectiveness and/or diagnostic testing.

VOCs are 50 to 70% more transmissible than the original COVID-19 coronavirus. Research is ongoing to learn more.