Do I need to self-isolate?

If you need immediate medical attention call 911. Make sure to mention your symptoms, travel history, and if you are a close contact to someone who has or may have COVID-19.

You must self-isolate immediately if you have one or more symptoms of COVID-19.

If you choose to be tested: call an assessment centre to book an appointment, continue to self-isolate until you receive your result. If you have not received your COVID-19 test result AND it has been at least 10 days from the onset of your symptoms, you may resume your daily activities if you are fever-free for 24 hours (without the use of medication) and your symptoms are improving in the last 24 hours (or 48 hours if your symptoms were vomiting or diarrhea).

NEW - All household members of symptomatic individuals are required to self-isolate until the symptomatic individual receives a negative COVID test result or is provided an alternative diagnosis by a healthcare professional.

If you choose not to be tested: you must self-isolate for 10 days AND until you have been fever-free for 24 hours (if applicable) AND your symptoms are improving (for 24 hours, or for 48 hours if symptoms were vomiting or diarrhea). If you have a severe illness (requiring ICU level support) or are severely immune compromised, self-isolate for 20 days.

NEW – All household members of a symptomatic individual must self-isolate for 14 days from last contact with that individual. If you are unable to self-isolate in the home away from the symptomatic individual, you must self-isolate for an additional 14 days from when the symptomatic individual’s isolation period ends. This would total 24 days if the individual wasn’t tested (10 days following the start of the individual’s symptoms plus 14 days more).

You must also self-isolate for 14 days, even if you are asymptomatic (i.e., you do not have one or more symptoms of COVID-19) if:

• you have been in close contact with a person who has tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 14 days (this includes contact within 48 hours before symptom(s) started); or
• you have returned from travel outside of Canada (whether or not you have symptoms) as per Government of Canada Quarantine Act.

NEW - Household close contacts of high risk contacts of a case should also self-isolate for 14 days, but are permitted to leave the home for essential purposes such as attending work or school.

When self-isolating, you should self-monitor for symptoms. If you begin to experience one or more symptoms of COVID-19, continue to self-isolate and arrange to be tested.

Essential workers: self-isolation guidelines may differ if you have no symptoms of COVID-19 but have travelled or had a close contact with a confirmed case. For more information, contact your employer or human resources department for direction. If you have further questions, contact the Health Unit at 1-800-563-2808. Outside of work, you must self-isolate for 14 days from your last exposure or return from travel.

What does close contact mean?

• who has tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 14 days (this includes contact within 48 hours before symptom(s) started).
• who has one or more symptoms of COVID-19 AND who has travelled outside of Canada in the last 14 days (this includes contact within 48 hours before symptom(s) started).

What is self-isolation?

• Public Health Ontario: How to self-isolate
• Government of Canada’s resource: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): How to isolate at home when you may have COVID-19

How long is self-isolation?

If you have returned from travel outside of Canada and NO symptoms

Fourteen (14) days since your return to Canada
AND you have not developed any symptoms of COVID-19 (e.g. fever, cough, or difficulty breathing)

If you have returned from travel outside of Canada and HAVE symptoms

Fourteen (14) days since your return to Canada OR 14 days after your symptoms started, whichever is longer
AND you are fever-free (temperature is less than 37.8°C) for 24 hours
AND your symptoms are improving in the last 24 hours (or 48 hours if your symptoms were vomiting or diarrhea)
AND you are not an essential service worker*

If you have COVID-19 OR if you have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19 contact the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit for guidance 1-800-563-2808.

Household members of high risk contacts of a case should also self-isolate for fourteen (14) days, but are permitted to leave the home for essential purposes such as attending work or school.

If you have symptoms of COVID-19 and were tested for COVID-19

• Please read You were tested for COVID-19: What you should know (Public Health Ontario). Also note:
  • You must continue with your isolation for a full fourteen (14) days regardless of the results of your test, if you are required to self-isolate because you:
    • have been in close contact with a person who has tested positive for COVID-19 in the last fourteen (14) days (this includes contact within 48 hours before symptom(s) started); or
    • have returned from travel outside of Canada (whether or not you have symptoms) as per Government of Canada Quarantine Act.

• All household members of symptomatic individuals are required to self-isolate until the symptomatic individual receives a negative COVID test result or is provided an alternative diagnosis by a healthcare professional.
• Essential workers: self-isolation guidelines may differ if you have no symptoms of COVID-19 but have travelled or had a close contact with a confirmed case. For more information, contact your employer or human resources department for direction. If you have further questions, contact the Health Unit at 1-800-563-2808. Outside of work, you must self-isolate for 14 days from your last exposure or return from travel.
• If your result is positive, continue to self-isolate and a Public Health staff will contact you with further instruction.

If you have symptoms of COVID-19, even if mild (and no travel) and are NOT tested

Ten (10) days after symptoms started or 20 days if you have a severe illness (requiring ICU level support) or are severely immune compromised
AND you are fever-free (temperature is less than 37.8°C) for 24 hours
AND your symptoms are improving in the last 24 hours (or 48 hours if your symptoms were vomiting or diarrhea)
AND you are not an essential service worker*
All household members of a symptomatic individual must self-isolate for fourteen (14) days from last contact with that individual. If you are unable to self-isolate in the home away from the symptomatic individual, you must self-isolate for an additional fourteen (14) days from when the symptomatic individual’s isolation period ends.  This would total 24 days if the individual wasn’t tested (10 days following the start of the individual’s symptoms plus 14 days more).

What should I do if I live with or care for someone who has or may have COVID-19?

If you are living with or caring for a person who has or may have COVID-19, there are a number of things you can do to help protect yourself and others who are living in your home. Review these documents to learn more:

• Public Health Ontario Self-Isolation: Guide for caregivers, household members and close contacts
• Government of Canada Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): How to care for a person with COVID-19 at home – Advice for caregivers

Should I wear a face covering?

Visit our face coverings page for the most up-to-date information.

What items should I have on hand when caring for someone with COVID-19?

When caring for someone with COVID-19, at minimum, have:

• personal hygiene products
• face coverings
• disposable gloves
• eye protection
• cleaning supplies.

In addition, the Government of Canada has a sample list of supplies to have in your home, visit: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Be prepared fact sheet.