Self Assessment for COVID- 19 in Canada

The 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19)

The 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) causes a respiratory infection that originated in Wuhan, China.

The first presumptive case of this infection in Ontario was identified on January 25, 2020.

Returning from travel

Anyone who has travelled outside of Canada should:

  • self-isolate for 14 days when they return. People who are self-isolating should not go to work
  • monitor themselves for symptoms of the 2019 novel coronavirus for 14 days after returning to Canada
  • contact their primary care provider or Telehealth Ontario at  1-866-797-0000 if they experience symptoms of the 2019 novel coronavirus

In addition:

  • Workers who have travelled and are part of workplaces that are essential to daily living are able to return to work as long as they do not have symptoms. However, they should self-monitor for a period of 14 days and identify themselves to their employer so that a plan can be put into place to ensure the protection of those workplaces.
  • Children under the age of 16 years who have travelled outside of Canada should also self-isolate for a period of 14 days. Parents should actively monitor their children’s symptoms. Children who are self-isolating should stay at home and avoid social gathering points such as community centres or parks.

Symptoms of COVID-19 

Those who are infected with the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)  may have little to no symptoms. You may not know you have symptoms of COVID-19 because they are similar to a cold or flu. 

Symptoms may take up to 14 days to appear after exposure to COVID-19. This is the longest known incubation period for this disease. We are currently investigating if the virus can be transmitted to others if someone is not showing symptoms. While experts believe that it is possible, it is considered less common. 

Symptoms have included: 

  • cough 
  • fever 
  • difficulty breathing 
  • pneumonia in both lungs 

In severe cases, infection can lead to death. 

Below is the self test, where most of the times you have self quarantine yourself for a good 14 days. However, if the symptoms keep increasing to chest pain, confusion, losing consciousness as well as difficulty breathing then you have to rush to the emergency to get treated. If your immune system is good and strong then you can be healed within those 14 days of self isolation. Please check below all the symptoms.   

SELF TEST 

Please self-monitor, wash your hands frequently, and practice physical distancing. If you develop any symptoms (fever, cough, sneezing, sore throat, or difficulty breathing), or become aware of any potential exposures to cases of COVID-19, take this self-assessment again. 

Are you experiencing any of the following, if so, you have to go to the emergency: 

  • Severe difficulty breathing (e.g. struggling to breathe or speaking in single words) 
  • Severe chest pain 
  • Having a very hard time waking up 
  • Feeling confused 
  • Losing consciousness 

Are you experiencing any of the following, if so, you have self-quarantine for 14 days: 

  • Shortness of breath at rest 
  • Inability to lie down because of difficulty breathing 
  • Chronic health conditions that you are having difficulty managing because of difficulty breathing 

Are you experiencing any of the following, if so, you have self-quarantine for 14 days: 

  • Fever 
  • Cough 
  • Sneezing 
  • Sore throat 

Have you travelled to any countries outside Canada (including the United States) within the last 14 days? Travel includes passing through an airport, if so, you have self-quarantine for 14 days: 

Did you provide care or have close contact with a person with COVID-19 (probable or confirmed) while they were ill (cough, fever, sneezing, or sore throat)? 

A close contact is defined as a person who: 

  • Provided care for the individual, including healthcare workers, family members or other caregivers, or who had other similar close physical contact without consistent and appropriate use of personal protective equipment; or 
  • Lived with or otherwise had close prolonged contact (within 2 metres) with the person while they were infectious; or 
  • Had direct contact with infectious bodily fluids of the person (e.g. was coughed or sneezed on) while not wearing recommended personal protective equipment. 

Did you have close contact with a person who travelled outside of Canada in the last 14 days who has become ill (cough, fever, sneezing, or sore throat)? If so, you have self-quarantine for 14 days: 

A close contact is defined as a person who: 

  • Provided care for the individual, including healthcare workers, family members or other caregivers, or who had other similar close physical contact without consistent and appropriate use of personal protective equipment; or 
  • Lived with or otherwise had close prolonged contact (within 2 metres) with the person while they were infectious; or 
  • Had direct contact with infectious bodily fluids of the person (e.g. was coughed or sneezed on) while not wearing recommended personal protective equipment. 

 Status of cases in Ontario

This web page will be updated with the most up-to-date information on the status of cases in Ontario, every day, seven days a week, at 10:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. ET.

Negative1 40,630
Currently under investigation2 7,203
Confirmed positive3 1,324
Resolved4 8
Deceased 23*
Total number of patients approved for COVID-19 testing to date 49,186

How to protect yourself

Coronaviruses are spread mainly from person to person through close contact, for example, in a household, workplace or health care centre.

There is no vaccine available to protect against the 2019 novel coronavirus, but there are actions you can take to help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses.

Everyday actions

Take these everyday steps to reduce exposure to the virus and protect your health:

  • wash your hands often with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer
  • sneeze and cough into your sleeve
  • avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth
  • avoid contact with people who are sick
  • stay home if you are sick

How to self-isolate

Self-isolating means staying at home and avoiding contact with other people to help prevent the spread of disease to others in your home and your community.

All persons over 70 years of age and individuals who are immunocompromised are advised to self-isolate for a period of 14 days. This means that you should only leave your home or see other people for essential reasons. Where possible, you should seek services over the phone or internet or ask for help from friends, family or neighbours with essential errands.

When self-isolating you should:

Stay home

  • do not use public transportation, taxis or rideshares
  • do not go to work, school or other public places
  • your health care provider will tell you when it is safe to leave

Limit the number of visitors in your home

  • only have visitors who you must see and keep the visits short
  • keep away from seniors and people with chronic medical conditions (for example, diabetes, lung problems, immune deficiency)

Avoid contact with others

  • stay in a separate room away from other people in your home as much as possible and use a separate bathroom if you have one
  • make sure that shared rooms have good airflow (for example, open windows)

Keep distance

  • if you are in a room with other people, keep a distance of at least two metres and wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth
  • if you cannot wear a mask, people should wear a mask when they are in the same room as you

Cover your coughs and sneezes

  • cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze
  • cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve or elbow, not your hand
  • throw used tissues in a lined waste basket, and wash your hands. Lining the wastebasket with a plastic bag makes waste disposal easier and safer.
  • after emptying the wastebasket wash your hands

Wash your hands

  • wash your hands often with soap and water
  • dry your hands with a paper towel, or with your own cloth towel that no one else shares
  • use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available

Wear a mask over your nose and mouth

  • wear a mask if you must leave your house to see a health care provider
  • wear a mask when you are within two metres of other people

Poster: How to self-isolate.

How to care for someone with COVID-19

Wash your hands often

  • wash your hands with soap and water after each contact with the infected person
  • use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available

Wear mask and gloves

  • wear a mask and gloves when you have contact with the person’s saliva or other body fluids (for example, blood, sweat, saliva, vomit, urine and feces)

Dispose of gloves and mask after use

  • take the gloves and mask off right after you provide care and dispose of them in the wastebasket lined with the plastic bag
  • take off the gloves first and clean your hands with soap and water before taking off your mask.
  • clean your hands again with soap and water before touching your face or doing anything else

Limit the number of visitors in your home

  • only have visitors who you must see and keep the visits short
  • keep seniors and people with chronic medical conditions (for example, diabetes, lung problems, and immune deficiency) away from the infected person

Avoid sharing household items

  • do not share dishes, drinking glasses, cups, eating utensils, towels, bedding or other items with the person under investigation
  • after use, these items should be washed with soap or detergent in warm water. No special soap is needed
  • dishwashers and washing machines can be used
  • do not share cigarettes

Clean

  • clean your home with regular household cleaners
  • clean regularly touched items such as toilets, sink tap handles, doorknobs and bedside tables on a daily basis

Wash laundry thoroughly

  • there is no need to separate the laundry, but you should wear gloves when handling
  • clean your hands with soap and water immediately after removing your gloves

Be careful when touching waste

  • all waste can go into regular garbage bins
  • when emptying wastebaskets, take care to not touch used tissues with your hands. Lining the wastebasket with a plastic bag makes waste disposal easier and safer.
  • clean your hands with soap and water after emptying the wastebasket