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).

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.

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.

Household members of someone who had a close contact with a person who tested positive for COVID-19 should also self-isolate for 14 days, but are permitted to leave the home for essential purposes such as attending work or school. Please read When to Self-isolate for Household Members to learn more.

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.

If you are fully vaccinated:

Definition of a Fully Vaccinated Individual:

An individual is considered to be fully vaccinated fourteen (14) days or more after receiving their second dose of a two-dose COVID-19 vaccine series or their first dose of a one-dose COVID-19 vaccine series.

Individuals with no symptoms or household members who are fully vaccinated and who are a close contact with a person who tested positive for COVID-19:

• are not required to self-isolate at home or in the community.
• should still be tested as directed by the Health Unit.
• are not required to stay at home until person with symptoms tests negative.

If the fully vaccinated individual who is a close contact with a person who tested positive for COVID-19 becomes symptomatic, they must self-isolate immediately and get tested.

At this time, travellers entering Canada are not excluded from Federal Quarantine requirements, even if they have been vaccinated. See the Government of Canada “Mandatory quarantine or isolation” webpage for more information. 

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 1-844-478-1400. Outside of work, you must self-isolate for 14 days from your last exposure or return from travel.

What does close contact mean?

• has tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 14 days (this includes contact within 48 hours before symptom(s) started).
• 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?

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.

For returning travellers, please visit the Government of Canada’s website as there are specific requirements for isolation and testing:

For travellers with COVID-19 symptoms returning to Canada by air

For travellers without symptoms of COVID-19 returning to Canada by air

For travellers with COVID-19 symptoms returning to Canada by land

For travellers without symptoms of COVID-19 returning to Canada by land or water

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 1-844-478-1400.

• Household members of someone who had a close contact with a person who tested positive for COVID-19 should 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 individuals with symptoms are required to self-isolate until the symptomatic individual receives a negative COVID-19 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 North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit at 1-844-478-1400. Outside of work, you must self-isolate for fourteen  (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.

*Please note: Household members who are fully vaccinated and have no symptoms, and who are a close contact with a person who has symptoms or who tested positive for COVID-19:

• are not required to self-isolate at home or in the community.
• should still be tested as directed by the Health Unit.
• are not required to stay at home until person with symptoms tests negative.

If the fully vaccinated individual who is a close contact with a person who tested positive for COVID-19 becomes symptomatic, they must self-isolate immediately and get tested.

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 an individual with symptoms 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.