COVID-19

WHAT IS COVID-19?

SYMPTOMS OF COVID-19?

Those who are infected with 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.

Human coronaviruses cause infections of the nose, throat and lungs. They are most commonly spread from an infected person through:

• respiratory droplets generated when you cough or sneeze
• close, prolonged personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands
• touching something with the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose or eyes before washing your hands

Current evidence suggests person-to-person spread is efficient when there is close contact.

IF YOU BECOME ILL

If you are showing symptoms of COVID-19, reduce your contact with others:

• isolate yourself at home for 14 days to avoid spreading it to others
  • if you live with others, stay in a separate room or keep a 2-metre distance
• visit a health care professional or call your local public health authority
  • call ahead to tell them your symptoms and follow their instructions

If you become sick while travelling back to Canada:

• inform the flight attendant or a Canadian border services officer
• advise a Canada border services agent on arrival in Canada if you believe you were exposed to someone who was sick with COVID-19, even if you do not have symptoms
  • this is required under the Quarantine Act
  • the Canada border services agent will provide instructions for you to follow

DIAGNOSING CORONAVIRUS

Coronavirus infections are diagnosed by a health care provider based on symptoms and are confirmed through laboratory tests.

TREATMENT?

Most people with mild coronavirus illness will recover on their own.

If you are concerned about your symptoms, you should self-monitor and consult your health care provider. They may recommend steps you can take to relieve symptoms.

Vaccine

At this time, there is no vaccine for COVID-19 or any natural health products that are authorized to treat or protect against COVID-19.

If you have received a flu vaccine, it will not protect against coronaviruses.

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SELF-MONITOR, SELF-ISOLATION AND ISOLATE

There is a difference between advice to self-monitor, advice to self-isolate and advice to isolate. It is important to note these measures are in place to protect the health and safety of Canadians.

Self-monitoring means to:

• monitor yourself for 14 days for symptoms of respiratory illness, such as cough, fever and difficulty breathing
• avoid crowded places and increase your personal space from others whenever possible

If you develop symptoms, isolate yourself from others immediately and contact your public health authority as soon as possible.

Self-isolate if you:

• have no symptoms and
• have travelled outside of Canada within the last 14 days or
• have come in close contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19 or
• have been asked to do so by your public health authority

Self-isolation means to:

• stay at home and monitor yourself for symptoms, even if mild, for 14 days
• avoid contact with others

If you develop symptoms, even if mild, stay home, avoid other people and contact your public health authority as soon as possible.

You need to be isolated if you:

• have symptoms, even if mild, associated with COVID-19 or
• have been diagnosed with COVID-19 or
• are waiting for laboratory test results or
• have been advised to do so by your Public Health Authority

Isolating yourself means to:

• stay home until the local public health authority says you are no longer at risk of spreading the virus
• avoid contact with others

If your symptoms get worse, immediately contact your healthcare provider or Public Health Authority and follow their instructions.

PREVENTION

Canadians should continue to think ahead about the actions that they can take to stay healthy and prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Canada, including:

• being prepared in case you or a family member become ill
• following the latest travel advice from federal and provincial public health leaders:
  • avoiding all non-essential travel, including cruise ships
  • self-isolating, and monitoring for symptoms (cough, fever or difficulty breathing) for 14 days if you have travelled outside of Canada
• reducing contact with others by following the guidance for self-monitoring, self-isolating, or isolating
• practicing social distancing and proper hygiene 
• wearing masks, if necessary

Social distancing

Together, we can slow the spread of COVID-19 by making a conscious effort to keep a physical distance between each other. Social distancing is proven to be one of the most effective ways to reduce the spread of illness during an outbreak.

This means making changes in your everyday routines to minimize close contact with others, including:

• avoiding crowded places and non-essential gatherings
• avoiding common greetings, such as handshakes
• limiting contact with people at higher risk like older adults and those in poor health
• keeping a distance of at least 2 arms-length (approximately 2 metres) from others

Hygiene

Proper hygiene can help reduce the risk of infection or spreading infection to others:

• wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after using the washroom and when preparing food
  • use alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available
• when coughing or sneezing:
  • cough or sneeze into a tissue or the bend of your arm, not your hand
  • dispose of any tissues you have used as soon as possible in a lined waste basket and wash your hands afterwards
• avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands

Cleaning

Health Canada has published a list of hard surface disinfectants that are likely to be effective for use against coronavirus (COVID-19).

Although they do not claim to kill viruses such as COVID-19, cleaners can play a role in helping limit the transfer of microorganisms. Health Canada recommends cleaning often, using either regular household cleaners or diluted bleach (1 part bleach to 9 parts water) the following high-touch surfaces:

• toys
• toilets
• phones
• electronics
• door handles
• bedside tables
• television remotes

Wearing masks

If you are a healthy individual, the use of a mask is not recommended for preventing the spread of COVID-19.

Wearing a mask when you are not ill may give a false sense of security. There is a potential risk of infection with improper mask use and disposal. They also need to be changed frequently.

However, your health care provider may recommend you wear a mask if you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 while you are seeking or waiting for care. In this instance, masks are an appropriate part of infection prevention and control measures. The mask acts as a barrier and helps stop the tiny droplets from spreading you when you cough or sneeze.