Companion pages: Health & Wellness COVID-19 FAQs and Health & Wellness updates
The COVID-19 pandemic is raising concerns about community safety and overloading us with information.
We all have a key role to play, but the way we protect ourselves and others depends on our unique circumstances. That’s why we’re answering your most frequently asked questions.
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Fever, cough, shortness of breath, muscle aches or tiredness.
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Practice physical distancing. Stay at home unless you need to pick up essential items and try to limit those trips to once a week.
When you're out, avoid crowds and stay two metres away from others.
When you return home, wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Keeping your hands clean through frequent washing or using hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol is one of the most effective things you can do.
When your hands aren't clean, avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
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Keep a routine. Consider developing a hobby and exercise regularly. Reach out to friends and family by phone or video chat. Check in on people who are vulnerable or may need support.
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Yes. Quarantine for 14 days because you may have been exposed to the virus without knowing it. Being in quarantine is more than just physical distancing. You must:
- Stay at home. Don’t get groceries or run errands. Use delivery options or have someone help you get essentials.
- Minimize contact with anyone living in your home.
- Monitor yourself for symptoms.
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If you’re a young person without an existing health condition, you’ll likely be able to recover at home. While you're recovering, make sure you:
- Contact Telehealth at 1-866-797-0000 or your health-care provider to let them know.
- Self-isolate at home until you’re better.
- Avoid all physical contact with others, including people you live with.
- Hydrate, eat well, rest and take over-the-counter medication to help manage your symptoms. Take care of yourself like you would if you had the flu.
- Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or the bend of your elbow, and wash your hands.
- Seek medical attention if your symptoms worsen or last more than seven days.
- Continue self-isolating until you feel better or are cleared by a doctor.
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Contact Telehealth or your health-care provider and tell them you have been self-monitoring for COVID-19, have developed worsening symptoms and/or have underlying health conditions.
If you’ve been advised to seek medical care in person, take extra precautions on your way there. Avoid all public transit and drive yourself when possible. If someone is driving you, sit in the back seat and roll the windows down. Cover your coughs and sneezes, and safely dispose of any tissues.
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Don’t visit any health-care provider or COVID-19 testing centre unannounced.
If you have severe or worsening symptoms related to COVID-19, call Telehealth or your health-care provider for advice. Tests are limited and are reserved for people who are at high risk for transmitting COVID-19 to large groups of people (e.g. health-care workers). Your health-care provider will inform you if you need to be tested.
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If your symptoms become severe, call 911. Emergency warning signs include (but aren’t limited to):
- unusual shortness of breath when walking, exercising or at rest
- chest pain
- weakness that impairs activities of daily living (e.g. showering)
- drowsiness, dizziness or unusual confusion
- bluish lips or face
If at any point you feel concerned about your symptoms and can’t travel to a health-care provider, call 911.