COVID-19

COVID-19 Vaccine 

Getting vaccinated and staying up-to-date with your COVID-19 vaccinations is the best way to remain protected against the most severe outcomes of COVID-19 infection, including hospitalization.

KFL&A Public Health will be holding COVID-19 vaccine clinics for children under 5 years of age without a primary care provider when vaccines become available. 

For more information about COVID-19 vaccinations, visit the Ministry of Health website.

Rapid antigen tests

Rapid antigen tests are no longer available at KFL&A Public Health locations

• Rapid tests are now only available to a specific group of people
• If you develop symptoms and you are eligible for a publicly-funded test, we recommend you contact your primary care provider or pharmacist to find out about test availability and to arrange to take a test.

You are eligible for publicly-funded COVID-19 testing if you have COVID 19 symptoms AND belong to any of the following groups:

• people aged 65 years of age and older
• people aged 18 years of age and older who have at least one condition that puts them at higher risk of severe COVID-19 disease
• people who are immunocompromised
• residents and patients in certain high-risk settings including hospitals and congregate living settings with medically and socially vulnerable individuals (for example, in long-term care and other specific populations and settings)
• people in the context of suspected or confirmed outbreaks, as directed by the local public health unit

Isolation guidelines

If you have any COVID-19 symptoms (even if mild), it is recommended that you stay home (self-isolate) while you are sick.

This means:

• Staying home until you have no fever and your symptoms are improving for at least 24 hours (or 48 hours if you have gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting and/or diarrhea).
• After isolating, wear a well-fitted mask when out in public for 10 days from when your symptoms started.
• Avoid non-essential visits to vulnerable individuals (e.g. seniors) and highest risk settings (e.g., hospitals, long-term care) for 10 days from when your symptoms started.
• Follow this advice whether you have tested for COVID-19 or not.
• Make sure you know if you are eligible for COVID-19 treatment and how to get tested and access treatment if you are eligible.

To find out how long you need to self-isolate, complete the COVID-19 self-assessment. Follow Public Health Ontario’s instructions on how to self-isolate.

If you tested positive for COVID-19, but do not have any symptoms, you are not required to self isolate. You should:

• Self-monitor for symptoms and self-isolate if symptoms develop.
• Wear a well-fitted mask when in public settings, especially if they are crowded or have poor ventilation
• Avoid non-essential visits to vulnerable individuals (e.g. seniors) and high-risk settings for 10 days from your positive test date.

Individuals with a weak immune system should isolate for at least 10 days (from symptom onset or positive test date) regardless if they have symptoms of COVID-19.

How COVID-19 spreads

COVID-19 spreads from an infected person to others through respiratory droplets and aerosols created when an infected person coughs, sneezes, sings, shouts, or talks.

The COVID-19 virus is most often spread from an infected person through:

• Respiratory secretions (e.g., runny nose, saliva) and droplets generated by coughing or sneezing.
• Close, prolonged personal contact, such as living in the same household or working directly with someone who is infected with the virus.

Less commonly, the virus may also spread through touching an object with the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes before washing your hands.

Symptoms can include fever, headache, cough, sore throat, and fatigue. More severe symptoms such as shortness of breath or chest pain can occur in some people.

If you have symptoms of COVID-19 (even mild symptoms) and are at higher risk of serious illness, contact your health-care provider or pharmacist as soon as possible as you may benefit from COVID-19 treatment. The treatment (Paxlovid) must be taken within the first five days of your symptoms starting. To see if this treatment is right for you, see the COVID-19 antiviral treatment screener.

Some people continue to experience symptoms for many weeks or months after the first infection. This condition is called “long COVID” or Post-acute COVID-19 Syndrome (PACS).

To lower your chances of getting COVID-19, or spreading it to others, follow tips for infection prevention and stay up to date with your COVID-19 immunizations.