COVID-19 Prevention

Microscopic look at virus with arrow pointing to human lungs.

If you have questions related to COVID-19 testing and isolation guidelines, please call the Provincial Testing and Isolation Information line at 1-888-777-0730

About COVID-19

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

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 droplets vary in size from large droplets that fall to the ground rapidly (within seconds or minutes) near the infected person, to smaller droplets, sometimes called aerosols, which linger in the air under some circumstances.

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).
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. Symptoms may appear 2 to 10 days after exposure to someone with COVID-19.

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’s 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

Wear a mask

Masks are still an important tool in protection when we are in places that have close faces or enclosed spaces.

Stay home when you are sick

If you have symptoms, you are required to self-isolate immediately and get tested for COVID-19 if you are eligible.

Stay 2 metres (6 feet) apart

Physical distancing means staying 2 metres apart from people outside of your household.

Make changes in your everyday routines to minimize close contact with others:

Greet with a wave instead of a handshake, hug, or kiss.
Connect with friends and family by phone or online.

Wash your hands frequently

Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds or clean with alcohol-based hand sanitizer (containing at least 60-90% alcohol).

Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.

Practice good cough and sneeze etiquette

When coughing or sneezing:

cough or sneeze into a tissue or the bend of your arm, not your hand, or
use disposable tissues and be sure to dispose of them in a lined waste basket and wash your hands immediately afterwards.

Ensure proper ventilation in indoor areas

Maximize ventilation by ensuring that heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are in good working order. Drawing as much fresh air as possible from outside will decrease the concentration of aerosols that may be suspended in the air and could contain the COVID-19 virus.

When possible, keep windows open (e.g., in a house or vehicle).

Resources

COVID-19 Vaccines for Ontario (français) - Government of Ontario
COVID-19 Vaccine Safety (français) - Government of Ontario
Getting a COVID-19 Vaccine in Ontario (français) - Government of Ontario
Public Health Ontario - Public Health resources are available in 20 different languages
Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) - Reference for public health measures
Government of Ontario
Health Canada
World Health Organization (WHO)