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Information for those who have symptoms, test positive for COVID-19 and close contacts

Updated: September 9, 2022

If you have questions regarding provincial testing and access, and/or would like additional guidance regarding self-isolation or possible/confirmed COVID-19 exposure, please call the Provincial Testing and Isolation Information Line at 1-888-777-0730, available Monday to Sunday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Stay home if you are sick

This means:

  • Staying home until you have no fever and your symptoms are improving for at least 24 hours (or 48 hours if you have gastro-intestinal symptoms).

  • After isolating, wear a mask when out in public for 10 days from when your symptoms started.

  • Avoid non-essential visits to vulnerable individuals at risk of severe infection and highest risk settings (e.g., hospitals, long-term care) for 10 days from when your symptoms started.

  • Follow this advice whether you have tested for COVID or not.

  • Make sure you know if you are eligible for COVID treatmentsand how to get tested and access treatment if you are eligible.


I have symptoms of COVID-19 or have tested positive. Now what?

You must self-isolate right away to protect those around you. Self-isolation prevents the spread of COVID-19. Self-isolation means staying at home, avoiding contact with other people including those in your household if possible, and only leaving home for critical reasons, like a medical emergency.

  • Follow Public Health Ontario for instructions on how to effectively self- isolate. 
  • You should be staying in a separate room from your family members and have very limited to no contact with them. 
  • If needing to come out of your room and access a common living space (i.e., kitchen or bathroom), you must wear a mask and keep 6-feet distance. Additionally, others in your house should regularly clean and disinfect commonly touched surfaces.

Monitor your symptom progression:

  • If you develop serious symptoms such as chest pain or shortness of breath and are not coping well at home, you should seek medical attention.
  • If seeking medical attention, wear a mask, maintain physical distancing, and inform the healthcare worker immediately that you have tested positive for COVID-19.

​Population

​Isolation Guidance

​Additional Precautions

​Individuals with COVID-19 symptoms

​Stay home while sick – i.e., until afebrile and symptoms improving for 24 hours (48 hours for gastro-intestinal symptoms), regardless of testing results or no testing.

 

Isolate for 10 days for hospitalized, immunocompromised and those in highest risk settings.

​Continue to wear a mask for 10 days from symptom onset after isolating.

Avoid non-essential visits to vulnerable individuals and highest risk settings for 10 days.  


Individuals who test positive but are asymptomatic

​No longer required to isolate if remain asymptomatic

​Continue to wear a mask for 10 days from symptom onset after isolating.

Avoid non-essential visits to vulnerable individuals and highest risk settings for 10 days.  

​Individuals who are close contacts

​Monitor for symptoms.

Isolate immediately if symptoms develop.

​Wear a mask for 10 days from last exposure.

Avoid non-essential visits to vulnerable individuals and settings.





People who are contacts of someone who tests positive for COVID-19 (high-risk/close contacts)

A high-risk contact is someone who was in close contact with a person who tested positive for COVID-19. Close contact is being within 2 meters (6 feet) of a person who tested positive for COVID-19 for a prolonged period of time or having multiple close encounters, even when both people are wearing a mask.

Some examples of high-risk situations include: 

  • Physical contact such as shaking someone’s hand, hugging kissing, being sneezed or coughed on.
  • Living in the same household (this excludes individuals who live in a completely separate unit such as a self-contained basement apartment). 
  • Providing care to someone (e.g., taking care of an elderly parent).

For individuals who work/volunteer/attend a highest risk setting and do not have any symptoms:

  • Employees working in highest risk settings who have had a high-risk exposure to a COVID-19 case should speak with their employer to report their exposure and follow their workplace guidance for return to work.

  • Employees working in highest risk settings should self-monitor for symptoms for a total of 10 days after the last exposure to the COVID-19 positive case or individual with COVID-19 symptoms. All employees should self-isolate immediately if they develop any symptom of COVID-19 and seek testing if eligible.

  • Close contacts should self-monitor for 10 days from last exposure. Close contacts who develop any symptom(s) of COVID-19 should self-isolate immediately and be tested by molecular testing as soon as possible. 


Close contacts outside of highest risk settings

Household and Non-Household Close Contacts

  • For a total of 10 days after the last exposure to the COVID-19 positive case or individual with COVID-19 symptoms, the individual notified by a case should: Self-monitor for symptoms and self-isolate immediately if you develop any symptom of COVID-19 and seek testing if eligible;
  • Wear a well fitted mask in all public settings:
    • Individuals should maintain masking as much as possible in public settings (including school and child care, unless under 2 years old). Reasonable exceptions would include removal for essential activities like eating, while maintaining as much distancing as possible;
    • Participation in activities where masking can be maintained throughout may be resumed, but individuals should avoid activities where mask removal would be necessary (e.g., dining out; playing a wind instrument; high contact sports where masks cannot be safely worn); and
    • Individuals who are unable to mask (e.g., children under two years of age, etc.) may return to public settings without masking.
  • Avoid non-essential visits to anyone who is immunocompromised or at higher risk of illness (e.g., seniors); and
  • Avoid non-essential visits to highest risk settings such as hospitals and long-term care homes. Where essential visit cannot be avoided, close contacts should wear a medical mask, maintain physical distancing, and notify the highest risk setting of their recent exposure.