COVID-19

Microscopic coronavirus

COVID-19 is the infectious disease caused by the coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2.

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 commonly spread from an infected person through:

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

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.

Higher risk individuals

People of any age or health status can develop COVID-19. However, some people are at higher risk of becoming severely ill if they are infected with COVID-19:

Older adults (the risk increases with each decade, especially over 60 years of age).
People of any age with chronic medical conditions (e.g., lung disease, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, kidney disease, liver disease, dementia, stroke).
People of any age who are immunocompromised, including those with an underlying medical condition like cancer, or individuals taking medications that suppress the immune system, like chemotherapy.
Individuals with obesity and a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher.

Symptoms of COVID-19

Symptoms of COVID-19 range from mild to severe. If you feel sick, it's important that you stay home and talk with a primary care provider or doctor if necessary.

The most common symptoms include:

Fever (feeling hot to the touch, a temperature of 37.8 degrees Celsius or higher).
Cough that's new or worsening.
Shortness of breath (feeling out of breath, unable to breathe deeply).

Other symptoms can include:

Sore throat
Runny nose (not related to seasonal allergies or other known causes or conditions)
Stuffy or congested nose (not related to seasonal allergies or other known causes or conditions)
Lost sense of taste or smell
Headache that is unusual or long lasting
Digestive issues (nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain)
Chills
Muscle aches that are unusual or long lasting
Extreme tiredness that is unusual

If you develop severe symptoms requiring medical attention, such as shortness of breath or chest pain, call 911 and inform them that you may have COVID-19.

Assessment

If you require a clinical assessment for COVID-19 symptoms or access to antiviral treatment, you should contact your family doctor.

If you cannot access your family doctor or do not have a family doctor, contact Health811, by dialing 811 (TTY 1-866-797-0007), or join a live chat with a health care navigator.

Testing

People in the following higher-risk groups are eligible to be tested

Symptomatic people who fall into one of the following groups (those with * may also be eligible for treatment including antiviral treatment):

People 70 years of age and older *
People 60 years of age and older who have less than three doses of COVID-19 vaccine *
People who are immunocompromised *
Adults 18 years of age and older who have had less than three doses of COVID19 vaccine and have risk conditions *:
- obesity (BMI ≥ 30kg/m2)
- diabetes
- heart disease, hypertension, congestive heart failure
- chronic respiratory disease, including cystic fibrosis
- cerebral palsy
- intellectual disability
- sickle cell disease
- moderate or severe kidney disease (eGFR <60mL/min)
- moderate or severe liver disease (e.g., Child Pugh Class B or C cirrhosis)
Other people at higher risk of severe disease who may be eligible for COVID-19 treatment if they tested positive *
Pregnant people *
Patient-facing health care workers
Staff and their household members, volunteers, residents or inpatients, essential care providers, patient facing health care workers, and visitors in highest risk settings

Highest risk settings include: hospitals (including complex continuing care facilities and paramedic services), and congregate living settings with medically and socially vulnerable individuals, including, but not limited to long-term care homes, retirement homes, First Nation elder care lodges, group homes, shelters, hospices, correctional institutions, and hospital schools.

Home and community care workers
Staff and students in Provincial and Demonstration Schools
Elementary and secondary students and education staff who have received a PCR self-collection kit through their school
International Agriculture Workers in congregate living settings
Patients seeking emergency medical care, at the discretion of the treating clinician
Other outpatients for whom a diagnostic test is required for clinical management, at the discretion of the treating clinician
People who are underhoused or experiencing homelessness
First responders, including fire, police and paramedics

Symptomatic and asymptomatic people:

Individuals who are from a First Nation, Inuit, Métis community, or who self-identify as First Nation, Inuit, and Métis, and their household members
Individuals travelling into First Nation, Inuit, Métis communities for work
On admission or transfer to or from hospital or congregate living setting
People in the context of confirmed or suspected outbreaks in highest risk settings as directed by the local public health unit
Individuals, and one accompanying caregiver, with written prior approval for out-of-country medical services from the General Manager, OHIP
Any patient with a scheduled surgical procedure requiring a general anaesthetic 24 to 48 hours prior to procedure date
Newborns born to people with confirmed COVID-19 at the time of birth within 24 hours of delivery, with a repeat test at 48 hours after birth if baseline test is negative, or if the parental test results are pending at the time of discharge
People 24 to 48 hours prior to treatment for cancer or prior to hemodialysis, at the discretion of the treating clinician

If eligible, where can I get tested?

Testing is NOT available at KFL&A Public Health offices.

1 - Pharmacies

For a full list of COVID-19 Assessment Centres and pharmacies that provide testing in Ontario, visit the Government of Ontario’s directory and search by city, town or postal code.

2 - Take home rapid antigen test kits (RAT)

RAT kits are available through the Province of Ontario, and distributed through pharmacy and grocery stores across the province. A list of participating retailers as well as information on how retail locations are distributing rapid test kits can be found at Ontario.ca/rapidtest.

What do I do after getting tested?

Carefully read the instructions you are provided when you were tested. Please follow the recommendations for isolation, and when you can return to work or school.

Options to view test results:

Check the Government of Ontario’s online portal for your test results.
If you are unable to access the portal, contact your primary care provider and ask for your test results.
If you are unable to access the portal or your primary care provider, you must obtain your results directly from your testing provider.

If you were tested at a pharmacy, call that pharmacy directly.

KFL&A Public Health cannot provide test results for individuals if they were not tested by KFL&A Public Health.

Antiviral treatment

You may be eligible for an antiviral treatment called Paxlovid.

COVID-19 antiviral treatment screener

This treatment must start within five days of when symptoms start. Contact your family doctor to be assessed.

If you cannot access your family doctor, or do not have a family doctor, contact Health811, by dialing 811 (TTY 1-866-797-0007), or join a live chat with a health care navigator for health advice or information.