COVID-19

Symptomatic

Individuals with at least one symptom can be tested at the assessment centre.

 

COMMON SYMPTOMS

 

  • Fever - 37.8 C or greater
  • Cough - that is new or worsening (continuous, more than usual if chronic cough) not related to other known causes or conditions
  • Shortness of breath - dyspnea, out of breath, unable to breathe deeply, wheeze, that is worse than usual if chronically short of breath

 

Other symptoms of COVID-19 can include:

 

  • Sore throat - painful swallowing or difficulty swallowing
  • Rhinorrhea (runny nose) - not related to other known causes or conditions 
  • Nasal congestion - not related to other conditions (ie seasonal allergies)
  • New olfactory or taste disorder - (decrease or loss of smell or taste) Not related to other known causes or conditions (e.g., nasal polyps, allergies, neurological disorders) 
  • Nausea and/or vomiting -  Not related to other known causes or conditions (e.g. transient vomiting due to anxiety in children, chronic vestibular dysfunction) 
  • Diarrhea - Not related to other known causes or conditions (e.g., Irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, side effect of medication) 
  • Abdominal pain that is persistent or ongoing - Not related to other known causes or conditions (e.g., menstrual cramps, gastroesophageal reflux disease) 

 

Atypical signs and symptoms of COVID-19 should be considered, particularly in infants and children, older persons, and people living with a developmental disability.

 

Atypical symptoms can include: 

 

  • Chills 
  • Headache that is new and persistent, unusual, unexplained, or long-lasting - Not related to other known causes or conditions (e.g., tension-type headaches, chronic migraines) 
  • Conjunctivitis (pink eye) - Not related to other known causes or conditions (e.g., blepharitis, recurrent styes) 
  • Fatigue, lethargy, or malaise (general feeling of being unwell, lack of energy, extreme tiredness) that is unusual or unexplained - Not related to other known causes or conditions (e.g., depression, insomnia, thyroid dysfunction, anemia, malignancy)
  • Myalgias (muscle aches and pain) that are unexplained, unusual, or long-lasting and not related to other known causes or conditions (e.g., fibromyalgia) 
  • Decreased or lack of appetite - For young children and not related to other known causes or conditions (e.g., anxiety, constipation)

 

Asymptomatic Testing

 

  • Testing prior to a scheduled surgery
     
  • Admission to hospital -  if from another hospital, LTC home, retirement home, or other congregate living setting/institution. Also includes transfers between facilities even within the same multi-site organization.
     
  • The public health unit or the COVID Alert app notifies the person that they have been exposed to a confirmed case of the virus. 
     
  • They live or work in a setting that has a COVID-19 outbreak, as identified by the local public health unit. 
     
  • Eligible for testing as part of a targeted testing initiative as determined by the Ministry of Health or Ministry of Long-Term Care, including:
    • Residents or workers in long-term care homes 
    • Visitors to a long-term care home 
    • Residents or workers in homeless shelters 
    • Indigenous communities 
    • Other setting-specific populations, as outlined in CMOH guidance (e.g., asymptomatic cancer patients)

 

Self-screening

 

For individuals, visit

https://covid-19.ontario.ca/self-assessment

 

For students, visit

https://covid-19.ontario.ca/school-screening

 

 

The MHC Team thanks you for your understanding.

Image of Social Distancing and Self-Isolation Poster
Image of Social Distancing and Self-Isolation Poster