InfectiousDiseases Coronavirus FAQs

Coronavirus FAQs

If you need to speak with someone regarding COVID-19 related concerns, please call 519-753-4937 and press '3'. Our phone lines are staffed Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. You can also email your questions to covid19@bchu.org.

School Reopening

My child has a symptom that may be related to COVID-19. What should I do?

The Brant County Health Unit is not able to assess your child's symptoms or provide clearance for your child to return to school if we have not followed them as a case or contact. Please complete the COVID-19 Screening Tool for Children in School and Child Care to determine next steps.

If your child needs to be tested for COVID-19, please contact the Brant Community Healthcare System (BCHS) to book an appointment.

If your child has symptoms, they need to isolate while waiting for their test results.

If your child has been tested for COVID-19, you can see their results online.

Members living in the same household who are fully vaccinated (it's been at least 14 days since their second COVID-19 vaccine) do not need to isolate unless they too are experiencing symptoms.

Members living in the same household who are not fully vaccinated (they are not vaccinated, have only had 1 dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, or it's been less than 14 days since their second COVID-19 vaccine) need to isolate while waiting for the child's test results. If your child does not get tested, everyone in the household needs to self-isolate for 10 days.

My child did not pass the screen this morning. What do I do?

Please follow the next steps as stated on the COVID-19 Screening Tool for Children in School and Child Care. The Brant County Health Unit is not able to assess your child's symptoms or provide clearance for your child to return to school if we have not followed them as a case or contact.

If your child needs to be tested for COVID-19, please contact the Brant Community Healthcare System (BCHS) to book an appointment.

If your child has symptoms, they need to isolate while waiting for their test results.

If your child has been tested for COVID-19, you can see their results online.

Members living in the same household who are fully vaccinated (it's been at least 14 days since their second COVID-19 vaccine) do not need to isolate unless they too are experiencing symptoms.

My child was sent home from school because they have symptoms. What do I do?

If your child needs to be tested for COVID-19, please contact the Brant Community Healthcare System (BCHS) to book an appointment.

If your child has symptoms, they need to isolate while waiting for their test results.

If your child has been tested for COVID-19, you can see their results online.

Members living in the same household who are fully vaccinated (it's been at least 14 days since their second COVID-19 vaccine) do not need to isolate unless they too are experiencing symptoms.

My doctor said my child needs to be tested for COVID-19. What do I do?

If your child needs to be tested for COVID-19, please contact the Brant Community Healthcare System (BCHS) to book an appointment.

If your child has symptoms, they need to isolate while waiting for their test results.

If your child has been tested for COVID-19, you can see their results online.

Members living in the same household who are fully vaccinated (it's been at least 14 days since their second COVID-19 vaccine) do not need to isolate unless they too are experiencing symptoms.

If your child does not have symptoms, monitor them for symptoms while waiting for their test results. Household members also need to self-monitor.

I (parent/guardian) have a symptom related to COVID-19. Does my child(ren) need to stay home from school?

If you have symptoms of COVID-19, complete the Coronavirus (COVID-19) self-assessment (ontario.ca) to determine next steps.

Children living in the same household who are fully vaccinated (it's been at least 14 days since their second COVID-19 vaccine) do not need to isolate unless they too are experiencing symptoms.

Children living in the same household who are not fully vaccinated (they are not vaccinated, have only had 1 dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, or it's been less than 14 days since their second COVID-19 vaccine) need to also isolate while waiting for test results.

I don't have a family doctor or my family doctor is not able to see me. Where can I go?

The Brant County Health Unit is not able to assess your child's symptoms or provide clearance for your child to return to childcare if we have not followed them as a case or contact. Please complete the COVID-19 Screening Tool for Children in School and Child Care to if you have not already done so.

Please go to a walk-in clinic for further assessment or call Telehealth Ontario: Toll-free: 1-866-797-0000 or Toll-free TTY: 1-866-797-0007.

I heard that a child or the teacher in my child's class has a symptom and they are still attending school. Shouldn't they be isolating at home?

Brant County Health Unit works closely with School Boards and schools to keep our children safe. If you have concerns about the screening or other safety measures at your child's school please reach out to the school to discuss the situation.

If your child's teacher or any other child in their class (cohort) has tested positive for COVID, BCHU will initiate case and contact management processes.

What happens if a student or staff at my child’s school has COVID-19?

If a student, teacher or school staff member tests positive for COVID-19, provincial public health contact tracing protocols will be initiated by the Health Unit and implemented in conjunction with the school and School Board. BCHU will determine the extent of all students' and teachers' exposures, based on activities within the classrooms (cohorts), and with the broader school, buses, and before/after school programs.

Staff and parents of any child determined to be a close contact of a confirmed case will be contacted by BCHU to inform them of their exposure and direct next steps.

Child Care Facility Operations

My child has a symptom that may be related to COVID-19. What should I do?

If your child needs to be tested for COVID-19, please contact the Brant Community Healthcare System (BCHS) to book an appointment.

If your child has symptoms, they need to isolate while waiting for their test results.

If your child has been tested for COVID-19, you can see their results online.

Members living in the same household who are fully vaccinated (it's been at least 14 days since their second COVID-19 vaccine) do not need to isolate unless they too are experiencing symptoms.

My child did not pass the screen this morning. What do I do?

If your child has symptoms, they need to isolate while waiting for their test results.

If your child has been tested for COVID-19, you can see their results online.

Members living in the same household who are fully vaccinated (it's been at least 14 days since their second COVID-19 vaccine) do not need to isolate unless they too are experiencing symptoms.

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Does my child need to be tested?

If your child needs to be tested for COVID-19, please contact the Brant Community Healthcare System (BCHS) to book an appointment.

If your child has symptoms, they need to isolate while waiting for their test results.

Members living in the same household who are fully vaccinated (it's been at least 14 days since their second COVID-19 vaccine) do not need to isolate unless they too are experiencing symptoms.

Members living in the same household who are not fully vaccinated (they have only received 1 dose or it's been less than 2 weeks since their second dose) need to isolate while waiting for the child's test results. If your child does not get tested, everyone in the household needs to self-isolate for 10 days.

What requirements do child care operators have to follow for children returning to child care?

If your child had a COVID-19 test and the results are negative, consult with the operator at their child care facility to discuss next steps for your child returning. Your child care operator is responsible for confirming that your child has met the criteria to return to the centre/home.

My child has allergies, always has a runny nose, etc., I don't want to take them to the doctor:

If your child needs to be tested for COVID-19, please contact the Brant Community Healthcare System (BCHS) to book an appointment.

If your child is waiting for direction from their healthcare provider and/or waiting for test results, they need to isolate. Members living in the same household who are fully vaccinated (it's been at least 14 days since their second COVID-19 vaccine) do not need to isolate unless they too are experiencing symptoms. Members living in the same household who are not fully vaccinated (they have only received 1 dose, or it's been less than 2 weeks since their second dose) need to isolate while waiting for the child's test results.

My doctor said my child needs to be tested for COVID-19. What do I do?

If your child needs to be tested for COVID-19, please contact the Brant Community Healthcare System (BCHS) to book an appointment.

If your child has symptoms, they need to isolate while waiting for their test results.

If your child has been tested for COVID-19, you can see their results online.

Members living in the same household who are fully vaccinated (it's been at least 14 days since their second COVID-19 vaccine) do not need to isolate unless they too are experiencing symptoms.

Members living in the same household who are not fully vaccinated (they are not vaccinated, have only had 1 dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, or it's been less than 14 days since their second COVID-19 vaccine) need to isolate while waiting for the child's test results. If your child does not get tested, everyone in the household needs to self-isolate for 10 days.

If your child does not have symptoms, monitor them for symptoms while waiting for their test results. Household members also need to self-monitor.

My child was sent home from childcare because they have symptoms, but I don't believe it's COVID-19.
What do I do?

If you don't believe it is related to COVID-19 and that the symptoms may be related to an underlying medical condition or allergies, you can consult with your physician about next steps.

If your child needs to be tested for COVID-19, please contact the Brant Community Healthcare System (BCHS) to book an appointment.

Please note that if your child has symptoms, they need to isolate while waiting for their test results or consult with a physician.

Members living in the same household who are fully vaccinated (it's been at least 14 days since their second COVID-19 vaccine) do not need to isolate unless they too are experiencing symptoms.

If your child does not have symptoms, monitor them for symptoms while waiting for their test results. Household members also need to self-monitor.

My child was sent home from childcare because they have symptoms. What do I do?

If your child needs to be tested for COVID-19, please contact the Brant Community Healthcare System (BCHS) to book an appointment.

If your child has symptoms, they need to isolate while waiting for their test results.

Members living in the same household who are fully vaccinated (it's been at least 14 days since their second COVID-19 vaccine) do not need to isolate unless they too are experiencing symptoms.

I don't have a family doctor or my family doctor is not able to see me:

Please go to a walk-in clinic for further assessment or call Telehealth Ontario: Toll-free: 1-866-797-0000 or Toll-free TTY: 1-866-797-0007.

Who can tell me when my child can return to daycare?

The Brant County Health Unit is not able to assess your child's symptoms or provide clearance for your child to return to childcare if we have not followed them as a case or contact.

Prior to your child arriving at their childcare centre, consult with the operator at their childcare facility to discuss next steps for your child returning. Your childcare operator is responsible for confirming that your child has met the criteria to return to the centre/home.

How long does my child need to stay home? When can my child return to childcare?

My child was sent home from daycare. Do I need to isolate? Do I need to stay home from work? Do other members in my household need to self-isolate?

If your child has symptoms, they need to isolate while waiting for their test results.

Members living in the same household who are fully vaccinated (it's been at least 14 days since their second COVID-19 vaccine) do not need to isolate unless they too are experiencing symptoms.

If your child does not have symptoms, monitor them for symptoms while waiting for their test results. Household members also need to self-monitor.

I (parent/guardian) have this symptom. Does my child(ren) need to stay home from daycare?

If you have symptoms of COVID-19, you need to self-isolate while waiting for your test results.

Members living in the same household who are fully vaccinated (it's been at least 14 days since their second COVID-19 vaccine) do not need to isolate unless they too are experiencing symptoms.

Members living in the same household who are not fully vaccinated (they have only received 1 dose or it's been less than 2 weeks since their second dose) need to isolate while waiting for your test results. If you do not get tested, everyone in the household who is not fully vaccinated needs to self-isolate for 10 days.

I heard someone at my child's daycare has COVID-19. Who tested positive?

Childcare centres, along with public health units, have a duty, under the Personal Health Information and Protection Act, to protect the privacy of patients, including those who have tested positive for COVID-19.

While the identities of those who test positive for COVID-19 cannot be disclosed, any childcare staff or parent of a child determined to be a close contact of a confirmed COVID-19 case will be contacted by the childcare provider and/or the Brant County Health Unit to inform them of their exposure and outline next steps.

Does my child's daycare have a COVID-19 plan in place? Did the Brant County Health Unit/Medical Officer of Health approve these plans?

The Ministry of Education released COVID-19 operational guidelines for licensed childcares to follow.

The Brant County Health Unit plays a supportive role in helping the childcares prepare for re-opening and day-to-day operations during COVID-19 but does not formally approve childcare plans.

What if a daycare provider gets COVID-19? Is my child safe?

If a childcare provider tests positive for COVID-19, the typical public health contact tracing protocols would be initiated. Any childcare provider or parent of any child determined to be a close contact of a confirmed case will be contacted by the childcare provider and/or the Brant County Health Unit to inform them of their exposure and outline next steps.

If someone at my child's daycare tests positive for COVID-19, does my child need to be tested?

If your child has been identified as a close contact to a confirmed case, you will be contacted by the childcare provider and/or the Brant County Health Unit. The health unit will outline next steps, which may include instructions to seek testing.

If you have not been contacted by the childcare provider and/or the Brant County Health Unit, your child has not been identified as a close contact of the individual who has tested positive and therefore testing is not required.

My child's daycare provider was away for a few days, I think they may have tested positive for COVID-19. What do I do?

Anybody testing positive for COVID-19 will be required to isolate for 10 days, under the direction of the health unit. If your child's childcare provider or any other child in their class (cohort) has tested positive for COVID-19 and your child meets the definition of a close contact to that individual, you will be contacted by the childcare provider and/or the Brant County Health Unit and next steps will be outlined.

I heard that (name of child) has a cough and they are still attending childcare. Shouldn’t they be isolating at home?

Province Reopening / Information for Businesses

Ontario has moved into Step Three of its Roadmap to Reopen, what does this mean?

With key public health and health care indicators continuing to improve and the provincewide vaccination rate surpassing the targets outlined in the province’s Roadmap to Reopen, in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health the Ontario government is moving the province into Step Three of the Roadmap to Reopen at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, July 16, 2021.

Step Three of the Roadmap focuses on the resumption of additional indoor services with larger numbers of people and restrictions in place. This includes, but is not limited to:

Outdoor social gatherings and organized public events with up to 100 people with limited exceptions;
Indoor social gatherings and organized public events with up to 25 people;
Indoor religious services, rites or ceremonies, including wedding services and funeral services permitted with physical distancing;
Indoor dining permitted with no limits on the number of patrons per table with physical distancing and other restrictions still in effect;
Indoor sports and recreational fitness facilities to open subject to a maximum 50 per cent capacity of the indoor space. Capacity for indoor spectators is 50 per cent of the usual seating capacity or 1,000 people, whichever is less. Capacity for outdoor spectators is 75 per cent of the usual seating capacity or 15,000 people, whichever is less;
Indoor meeting and event spaces permitted to operate with physical distancing and other restrictions still in effect and capacity limited to not exceed 50 per cent capacity or 1,000 people, (whichever is less);
Essential and non-essential retail with with capacity limited to the number of people that can maintain a physical distance of two metres;
Personal care services, including services requiring the removal of a face covering, with capacity limited to the number of people that can maintain a physical distance of two metres;
Museums, galleries, historic sites, aquariums, zoos, landmarks, botanical gardens, science centres, casinos/bingo halls, amusement parks, fairs and rural exhibitions, festivals, with capacity limited to not exceed 50 per cent capacity indoors and 75 per cent capacity outdoors;
Concert venues, cinemas, and theatres permitted to operate at:
- up to 50 per cent capacity indoors or a maximum limit of 1,000 people for seated events (whichever is less)
- up to 75 per cent capacity outdoors or a maximum limit of 5,000 people for unseated events (whichever is less); and up to 75 per cent capacity outdoors or a maximum of 15,000 people for events with fixed seating (whichever is less).
Real estate open houses with capacity limited to the number of people that can maintain a physical distance of two metres; and
Indoor food or drink establishments where dance facilities are provided, including nightclubs and restobars, permitted up to 25 per cent capacity or up to a maximum limit of 250 people (whichever is less).

Face coverings in indoor public settings and physical distancing requirements remain in place throughout Step Three. This is in alignment with the advice on personal public health measures issued by the Public Health Agency of Canada, while also accounting for Ontario specific information and requirements. Face coverings will also be required in some outdoor public settings as well.

Please view the regulation for the full list of public health and workplace safety measures that need to be followed.

Ontario's epidemiological situation is distinct from other jurisdictions and the Delta variant is the dominant strain in Ontario, which is not the case with some other provinces. As a result, on the advice of the Chief Medical Officer of Health, face coverings will also continue to be required for indoor public settings. The Chief Medical Officer of Health will continue to evaluate this need on an ongoing basis.

For more information, please visit the Province's website.

What are the guidelines for visiting in long-term care homes?

Please consult Ontario’s guidelines for visiting long-term care homes.

What should I be doing to ensure my business is safe for my customers and employees?

[Guidance documents]

BCHU has developed guidance documents to assist local businesses to operate safely.

General Guidance

Proof of Vaccination Guidance for Businesses and Organizations under the Reopening Act

Child Care Centre Guidance

Places of Worship

COVID-19 Guidance for Places of Worship

Pools and Waterfront Guidance

Life Saving Society - Guide to Reopening Pools and Waterfront

Congregate Living Facilities

Prevent the Spread of COVID-19 Posters for Businesses

The Province has also released safety guidelines to protect workers, customers and the general public from COVID-19.

The Ontario government is providing employers with a new general workplace guide, which will help them develop a safety plan to better protect workers, customers and clients. The new downloadable toolkit offers tips on how to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 as more people get back on the job. The new guide will help each employer create a safety plan that is right for their own unique workplace. It includes information on the use of face coverings, as well as applying controls in the workplace, from most important to least important. It also includes information on what personal protective equipment may be needed for workers.

These resources are available for many different sectors. They are designed to help employers and workers better understand how to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

To assist in reviewing any symptoms or recent history, employees should complete a health-screening questionnairebefore each work shift.

Businesses who have questions about closures of at-risk workplaces or how emergency measures impact their business or employment can call the Stop the Spread Business Information Line at 1-888-444-3659.

Where can I buy personal protective equipment for my business?

To support business owners, workers and the economic recovery of the province, the Province has launched a website to provide businesses with information on personal protective equipment (PPE) suppliers. The Workplace PPE Supplier Directory has an up-to-date list of Ontario companies and business associations that are ready to supply personal protective equipment.

COVID-19 Testing

Please visit our COVID-19 Testing & Results webpage for information.

General FAQ

COVID Alert App

What is the COVID Alert app?

The COVID Alert app notifies you with an alert on your phone if you may have been exposed to the virus and then gives you advice on what to do next. The app also lets others know if you test positive without sharing any personal information.

The app is voluntary: The more people who use it, the more effective we will be at stopping the spread of COVID-19.

The app is available for iOS and Android. You can download it on the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store.

The app does not use GPS or track your location. Your privacy is protected.

Visit the Government of Canada's website for help with COVID Alert.

How does the COVID Alert app help Public Health?

COVID Alert is just one part of the public health effort to limit the spread of COVID-19. The app does not replace manual contact tracing by the Brant County Health Unit. The app helps with Public Health's existing contact tracing efforts by quickly identifying new contacts.

The more people who use the app, the more effective we will be at stopping the spread of COVID-19.

What should I do if I am notified by the COVID Alert app that I was exposed?

If the app notifies you that you were exposed, you should monitor your symptoms and seek a test for COVID-19 from the nearest assessment centre. You should self-isolate while you wait for your test results.

More information can be found on the Government of Ontario's website for what to do if you've been exposed to COVID-19.

What do I need to know if I've tested positive for COVID-19?

See our fact sheet, which lays out next steps for those testing positive. BCHU case and contact management staff will be in contact with you to inform you of your positive result within 24-48 hours of receiving it.

What is a variant?

Viruses constantly change through mutation. These changes, also known as variants, are expected to occur over time. Sometimes new variants emerge and disappear. Other times, new variants emerge and persist. This is a natural phenomenon for all viruses, including the virus that causes COVID-19.

What do we know about the variants?

Four main COVID-19 variants of concern have been detected around the word:

The Delta variant called B.1.617
The Kent or Alpha variant called B.1.1.7
The Beta variant called 1.351
The Gamma variant called P.1

The World Health Organization is currently investigating four COVID-19 variants of interest:

The Eta variant called B.1.525
The Iota variant called B.1.526
The Kappa variant called B.1.617.1
The Lambda variant called C.37

Experts are studying how the virus is changing by understanding the genetic make-up of the virus. This will help us understand how changes to the virus might affect how it spreads and what happens to people who are infected with it.

How can I protect myself against the variants?

Following public health measures is the best way to protect ourselves and loved ones against the spread of COVID-19, including variants of concern:

Avoid social gatherings with those outside your immediate household
Limit non-essential trips outside your home
Practice physical distancing
Wear a face covering
Wash your hands often
Avoid enclosed, poorly ventilated spaces and crowded places

Stay home when you are sick, isolate from household members and schedule an appointment for testing.

Get the COVID-19 vaccine. For information on upcoming clinic schedules, please visit our COVID-19 vaccine webpage.

How does public health determine how long someone should be isolating?

Isolation timelines depend on when the person was exposed, if they had symptoms, if they got tested, why they are isolating, if they are fully vaccinated, if they were diagnosed with COVID-19 in the past 90 days and whether they are a close contact or a low-risk contact. The Brant County Health Unit contacts everyone who tests positive and provides them with guidelines for how long they and everyone in their household needs to be isolating.

How does public health determine who is a high risk contact?

High risk contacts can be a household or a close contact as defined below:

A household contact is anyone who lives with the person being tested like parents, siblings, boyfriend/girlfriend, spouses or roommates. It can include people who provide care to the person in the home (such as bathing, toileting, dressing, feeding). It can include other people who don't live with the person but may have similar unprotected contact such as boyfriends/girlfriends living in other households or people who visit indoors for prolonged periods. Unprotected means without wearing masks and maintaining physical distancing.
A close contact, also known as a high-risk contact, is someone exposed to a person who tested positive for the virus. Exposures can occur in the home, other indoor places where physical distancing is difficult to maintain, and even outdoors, if people are close together for longer periods of time.

Brant County Health Unit contacts all people who test positive for COVID-19 and identifies close contacts through a detailed review of factors such as the individual's symptoms, where they have been, and with whom they have interacted. The following are examples of people who may be considered higher risk or close contacts:

A person who came within two metres (six feet), for a significant period of time, of a person who has tested positive; the longer they were within two metres (six feet), the higher the risk.
A person who had close physical contact with a person who has tested positive for COVID-19 (e.g., shaking hands, hugging or kissing).
A person who may have been coughed or sneezed on by a person who has tested positive for COVID-19.
A person who may have shared a cigarette, a vape, a drink or food with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.

What does the term "reproductive number" mean on BCHU's COVID-19 dashboard?

The reproduciton number is the average number of secondary cases generated by an index case. A reproduction number greater than 1 means that the epidemic is growing, while a reproduction number less than one means the epidemic is coming under control.

What are the current social gathering limits?

Please refer to the Province's Roadmap to Reopen for more information.

How do I safely use a taxi/private transportation service during COVID-19?

Taxi/private transportation services (e.g. Uber, Lyft, etc.) are permitted to operate during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Taxis operating in Brant are required to follow the recommendations specified by public health. To further reduce the risk of spreading the disease we are recommending that Taxis/private transportation services implement the following recommendations below:

Before taking a taxi or private transportation service, complete a self-screen for COVID-19. Do not proceed with the trip if you do not pass the screening or feel unwell.
Passengers must wear a face covering prior to entering the vehicle and not to remove the covering until they have safely exited the vehicle. Considerations must be taken for customers with exemptions and best efforts shall be made to only allow entry to customers wearing a non-medical mask/face covering.
It is mandatory that drivers wear a face covering when providing service to a customer.
Avoid taking pooled rides or sitting with multiple passengers who is outside of your immediate household.
Passengers should sit in the seat furthest from the driver (e.g., in the back seat on the right side) to create physical distance.
If weather permits, roll down the windows and ask the driver to avoid using the recirculated air option for the car's ventilation during your trip.
If you are able, consider handling your own personal bags and belongings during pick-up and drop-off. If assistance is required, remember to perform hand hygiene after handling your belongings.
If possible, consider contactless transactions that limit or eliminate close contact and the sharing of items.

Individuals with symptoms of COVID-19 or are COVID-19 positive and need to travel for essential health care appointments should drive themselves or ask a friend or family member to take them if at all possible. If an individual needs to take a taxi/ride share, they should follow the applicable public health guidance.

What precautions should I take while getting groceries?

Wash your hands frequently (including before and after handling groceries), avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth, cover coughs or sneezes, clean and disinfect surfaces, and stay home if you are sick.

Currently, there are no reports of COVID-19 transmission through handling groceries or similar items, or foodborne-related illnesses.

The majority of COVID-19 cases have been linked to person-to-person transmission through close direct contact to someone with respiratory symptoms or close contact with a case in the incubation period who was later confirmed to have COVID-19.

Practice physical distancing, when possible, including while at the grocery store. Limit trips to the grocery store to once per week. This helps limit the number of people in the store and assists with physical distancing.

Wear a face covering to reduce the risk of transmission.

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

Common symptoms of COVID-19 include:

Fever (temperature of 37.8 degrees Celsius or greater)
New or worsening cough
Shortness of breath (dyspnea)

Other symptoms of COVID-19 include:

Sore throat
Hoarse voice
Difficulty swallowing
New olfactory or taste disorder(s)
Nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain
Runny nose, sneezing or nasal congestion -- in absence of underlying reason for these symptoms such as allergies, post nasal drip, etc.

What do I do if I or a member of my family have some or all of those symptoms?

Please complete the Ontario Self-Assessment Tool to determine your next steps. Your child should complete the COVID-19 Screening Tool for Children in School and Child Care.

If someone in your household needs to be tested for COVID-19, please contact the Brant Community Healthcare System (BCHS) to book an appointment.

If someone in your household has symptoms, they need to isolate while waiting for their test results. For other household members, please follow the following guidance:

If you are fully vaccinated* or previously tested positive for COVID-19* and do not have symptoms:

You are not required to self-isolate
You must report your exposure to your employer and follow any restrictions from work as specified by your manager and/or Occupational Health Department.
Even though you are not required to self-isolate, you should wear a mask and maintain physical distance from others when outside your home.
If you develop symptoms, see section below.

If you are fully vaccinated* or previously tested positive for COVID-19 and have symptoms:

You must isolate and be tested as soon as possible.
Upon receiving a negative result, you can be out of isolation once symptoms have resolved for at least 24 hours and gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain) have resolved for at least 48 hours

If you are not fully vaccinated* or have not previously tested postive for COVID-19:

You must isolate while waiting for test results. If results are negative and you do not have any symptoms, you can stop isolating and are allowed to leave the house for essential reasons. If results are positive, a Public Health Case Manager will get in touch with your family member about next steps for everyone in the household.

* Definition of a fully vaccinated individual:

An individual greater than or equal to 14 days after receiving their second dose of a two-dose COVID-19 vaccine series or their first dose of a one-dose COVID-19 vaccine series.

* Definition of individual who previously tested positve:

An individual who had a confirmed COVID-19 infection and was cleared by Public Health within the past 90 days

How do I self-isolate effectively?

Follow the below steps to ensure you are taking appropriate precautions and not further spreading the virus.

Stay home

Do not use public transportation, taxis, or rideshares
Do not go to work, school, or other public places
Your healthcare provider or public health unit 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 (e.g., 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 (e.g., 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 wastebasket, and wash your hands; lining the wastebasket with a plastic bag makes disposal easier and safer
After emptying the wastebasket, wash your hands

Wash your hands

Wash your hands often, for at least 20 seconds, 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 healthcare provider
Wear a mask when you are within two metres of other people
Visit our face coverings webpage for more information

If you've had a test and you’re experiencing symptoms or have been in close contact with a confirmed case, isolate from others; or if you had a test but are asymptomatic and not have been exposed, continue physical distancing and monitor for symptoms.

If you have been tested for COVID-19, click here to access your results.

How do I take care of my mental health during a pandemic?

Your feelings are valid
Information about COVID-19 is rapidly evolving and it's normal to feel nervous or anxious in times of uncertainty. It is helpful to talk about your feelings. Always keep the lines of communication open: call, text, or video chat with your friends, family members, neighbours or coworkers.

Seek credible and reliable information
Stay informed by seeking information from credible sources and avoid unfamiliar websites. A lot of information is shared daily about COVID-19, but not all of it is accurate. It is also important to use discretion when obtaining information shared on social media and posted in comments.

Reliable sources to access information include:
Brant County Health Unit
Ontario Ministry of Health
Health Canada
World Health Organization

Avoid unfamiliar websites or online discussion groups where people post information from non-credible sources or share stories which may or may not be true. Be wary of what is posted on social media, and always consider the reliability of information you see on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Find your balance: Know when to unplug
While staying informed is helpful, too much information may increase stress and anxiety levels and may not provide extra benefit. Be sure to limit your daily consumption of news media and social media, and schedule some time to unplug from phones, computers and other electronic devices.

Practice self-care
The best way to manage stress and protect your mental health is by practicing self-care. Self-care can be any of the following:

Eating healthy
Getting active
Reading
Meditation or yoga
Getting enough sleep

Avoid substance use - including smoking and vaping, caffeine and alcohol
Some people use substances, including smoking or vaping, to cope with stress, anxiety and depression. This may appear to help reduce stress initially, but in the long run can make things worse. The brain and body develop a tolerance to the numbing effects of these substances, and people have to compensate by using more and more. That leads to additional harms and often delays the recovery from the stress. Moreover, in those at risk, substance use can lead to an addiction or a relapse in those who are in recovery. If you are in recovery and experiencing stress, it is important to reach out for help before a relapse occurs. In general:

Reduce or stop using any non-prescribed substance if you can do so safely.
Take prescription medications as prescribed.
Try to reduce or avoid caffeine and alcohol.
Seek out professional help if you cannot do it alone.

For additional support or if you need to talk to someone:

Brantford/Brant	Province of Ontario
St. Leonard's Crisis Line - 519-759-7188 CMHA - Brant Haldimand Norfolk (Canadian Mental Health Association) - 519-752-2998 Six Nations Health Services Mental Health - 519-445- 2418 Woodview Mental Health & Autism Services - 519-752-5308 Virtual 'Drop-in' Counselling for Brant Youth Contact Brant (Services for children and youth) 519-758-8228	ConnexOntario - 1-866-531-2600 Kids Help Phone - 1-800-668-6868 (or text CONNECT to 686868) Telehealth Ontario - 1-866-797-0000

How can I ensure my children are staying active enough?

There are many ways that you and your children can stay physically active, even while maintaining the physical distancing guidelines. Some outside ideas include:

Creating a backyard obstacle course
Collecting nature items like twigs and pinecones, and using them to build something
Going for a bike ride
Chalking it up (chalk the sidewalk or driveway)
Going for a walk and playing eye spy
Using chalk to make fun games (like hopscotch!)
Driving to a local trail and going on a hike

Staying indoors? Try some of these:

Baking or cooking together
Painting or drawing a picture
Crafts – get creative!
Listening to music or having a dance party to your favourite songs
Building a puzzle
Having a movie night
Reading a book
Writing in a journal or creating a story, maybe even a comic book!

Also, sticking to a schedule is helpful. Routines help provide a sense of stability and structure. Create a schedule that works for the whole family. Consider things such as:

Keeping consistent wake-up and sleep times
Scheduling time for meals
Scheduling time for schoolwork; go to the Ministry of Education Learning portal to access math and literacy skills, and other learning resources
Getting outside for breaks and exercise
Ending the day's routine by 3:00 p.m. (or the same time as their regular end of day)
Keeping an evening routine that you are used to

Visit our parenting during COVID-19 section for additional resources for parents.

Can my pets spread or catch COVID-19?

There have been limited reports of animals becoming infected with COVID-19. There is currently no evidence that pets or other domestic animals play a significant role in the spread of COVID-19.

If you are sick, it is recommended that you avoid contact with pets and other animals, just like you would other people, until more is known.

Learn more by accessing Public Health Ontario's fact sheet.

What is physical (social) distancing?

Please refer to the Province's Roadmap to Reopen for current gathering limits.

Physical distancing involves taking steps to limit the number of people you come in close contact with. It is recommended that individuals make sure to avoid crowds and maintain a distance of two metres (six feet) from those around you.

Remember: While you may not feel sick and while we know these measures may be an inconvenience, please be mindful of the members of our community who are more vulnerable to COVID-19 than others. We are all in this together.

What BCHU programs have been on hold during the COVID-19 response?

The following program is currently suspended until further notice:

TB testing clinics
Food safety exams

Returning travellers

For the most up-to-date information regarding travellers returning to Canada, please visit the Government of Canada's website.

What is a coronavirus?

Coronaviruses make up a large family of viruses that circulate in both humans and other animals. Human coronaviruses are common and are usually associated with mild illness, similar to the common cold and can spread easily between people. There are some coronaviruses that have spread from animals to humans, which have caused more severe illness in humans, such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS).

The risk of developing severe disease from the 2019 novel coronavirus may be higher if you have a weakened immune system. This may be the case for:

older people
anyone with chronic disease such as diabetes, cancer, heart, renal or chronic lung disease

What is COVID-19?

On December 31, 2019, health authorities in China identified a new (or novel) coronavirus (referred to as 2019-nCoV), after several reported cases of pneumonia in Wuhan, China. On February 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) officially named the new illness COVID-19, where COVI stands for coronavirus, D stands for disease and 19 represents 2019, the year it was first identified in people.

It is believed that COVID-19 originated in another animal. It is the seventh strain of coronavirus.

How is COVID-19 diagnosed?

Coronavirus infections are diagnosed based on laboratory testing. A specific test for COVID-19 has been developed to confirm an infection, if one is suspected. Testing is done by taking a swab from the back of the nose or throat. An assessment is done prior testing to determine if it is necessary based on symptoms and potential exposures.

Can COVID-19 be spread from person-to-person?

Coronaviruses can spread when the droplets due to cough or a sneeze from an infected person are breathed in deeply by anyone who is in close proximity to the infected person; similar to how influenza and other respiratory illnesses are spread.

How soon after being exposed to COVID-19 would symptoms occur?

The World Health Organization advises that symptoms may appear in as few as two days, or as long as 10 to 14 days, after being exposed to someone with COVID-19. This time period is subject to change and may be updated as new information becomes available.

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Reports

Coronavirus FAQs

[Guidance documents]

What is the COVID Alert app?

How does the COVID Alert app help Public Health?

What should I do if I am notified by the COVID Alert app that I was exposed?