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
• facial 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.

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.

Do I need to self-isolate?

You must self-isolate if any of the following apply:

• you have been in close contact with a person:
  • who has or may have COVID-19 (this includes contact within 48 hours before  symptoms started)
  • who is sick with new respiratory symptoms (this includes contact within 48 hours before  symptoms started)
  • who recently travelled outside of Canada 
• you have COVID-19
• you are waiting for test results for COVID-19
• you have symptoms of COVID-19, even if mild
• you have returned from travel outside of Canada (whether or not you have symptoms) *As per Government of Canada Quarantine Act

What does close contact mean?

A close contact means someone who has cared for, spent extensive time with, or lives with a person:

• who has or may have COVID-19 (this includes contact within 48 hours before  symptoms started);
• who is sick with new respiratory symptoms (this includes contact within 48 hours before  symptoms started); or
• who recently travelled outside of Canada.

What is self-isolation?

For information on self-isolation, visit:

• Self-isolation
• 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?

The amount of time you must self-isolate for depends on a number of factors, like your travel history, close contact with a COVID-19 case, and if you have COVID-19 symptoms.

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
AND you are not an essential service worker*

If you have COVID-19 OR If you are waiting for test results for COVID-19 OR If you have been in close contact with someone who has or may have COVID-19

Contact North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit for guidance 1-800-563-2808

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

Fourteen (14) days after symptoms started
AND you are fever-free (temperature is less than 37.8°C) for 24 hours
AND your symptoms are improving
AND you are not an essential service worker*

*For essential service worker, contact your employer/HR/occupational health department for further direction. Note, essential service workers may break self-isolation recommendations at work, but should continue with self-isolation recommendations for community and home.

What should I do if I start to develop symptoms?

If you start to feel symptoms of COVID-19, self-isolate and:

• complete the online self-assessment

OR

• call your primary care provider’s office, Telethealth Ontario 1-866-797-000 or North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit 1-800-563-2808.

*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.

Where can I find COVID-19 test results?

If you have been tested for COVID-19, it will take 2 to 6 business days from your test day until your results are available. You are required to self-isolate while waiting for your results.

The Health Unit no longer receives negative results from the lab. You will ONLY be contacted if you test positive for COVID-19.

To access your test result

Look up your result on the Ontario Ministry of Health website. You will need your health card to retrieve your result. If you do not have internet access or a health card, call the Health Unit at 1-800-563-2808 for support with accessing your result.

The COVID-19 results were negative, now what?

If the test results were negative and you:

• Are an essential service worker, contact your employer or human resources department for further direction. When not at work, follow the instructions below that apply to you. Call the Health Unit if you are unsure if you are an essential service worker.
• Had exposure to a case (person diagnosed with COVID-19), you should continue to self-isolate until:
• You have completed 14 days of self-isolation, starting from when you had last exposure with a case.

AND

• You are fever-free (temperature is less than 37.8^oC) for 24 hours and
• Your symptoms are improving.
• Had no exposure to a case, you should continue to self-isolate until you have been fever-free (temperature is less than 37.8^oC) for 24 hours and your symptoms are improving.
• Had recent travel outside of Canada, you are mandated under Quarantine Act to self-isolate for 14 days.

What should I do if I tested negative but have ongoing symptoms consistent with COVID-19?

No laboratory tests are 100% accurate. For this reason, if someone still has symptoms after a negative test, reassessment should be considered. However, it is important to remember that, with respect to COVID-19, the symptoms can overlap with other infections/causes.  

You should continue to self-isolate until you are fever-free (temperature is less than 37.8°C) for 24 hours and your symptoms are improving.

Can my pet get COVID-19?

There have been limited reports of animals being infected with COVID-19. There is currently no evidence that pets or other domestic animals play a significant role in the spread of COVID-19. If you are sick, it is recommended that you avoid contact with pets and other animals, just like you would other people, until more is known.

For information on how to care for your pets, visit Public Health Ontario’s resource: How to Care for Pets and Other Animals

Multi-Unit Housing

The following posters are available to print and display in multi-unit housing buildings. Click on the image to view full size and download.