COVID-19 Information

What is COVID-19?

COVID-19 is part of a large family of viruses called coronaviruses that can cause symptoms ranging from the common cold to more serious respiratory infections like bronchitis, pneumonia or severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). 

Coronaviruses are spread mainly from person to person through close contact, for example, in a household, at a social gathering, workplace or health care centre.

Your risk of severe disease may be higher if you have a weakened immune system. This may be the case for:

  • older people

  • people with chronic disease (for example, diabetes, cancer, heart, renal or chronic lung disease)

Review more up to date information here.

Symptoms

Symptoms range from mild – like the flu and other common respiratory infections – to severe, and can include:

  • Fever (temperature of 37.8C or greater)

  • New or worsening cough

  • Shortness of breath (dyspnea)

  • Sore throat

  • Difficulty swallowing

  • New loss of sense of smell or taste 

  • Nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain

  • Runny nose, or nasal congestion – in the absence of an underlying reason for these symptoms such as seasonal allergies

See this link for a list of other symptoms that have been associated with COVID-19 especially in seniors, children, and individuals with developmental disabilities. 

Complications from COVID-19 can include serious conditions, like pneumonia or kidney failure, and in some cases, death.

As of December 30, 2021, only Ontarians who fall into one of the eligible groups can proceed for testing if they have symptoms of COVID-19 at either a COVID-19 Testing Centre or their local Emergency Department.

Treatment / Positive cases

Most people with mild cases of COVID-19 will recover on their own. There is no need to alert your physician of your positive / negative test results. Instead, please see below for guidance:

If you were exposed to COVID-19 and have symptoms, you can use the COVID-19 self-assessment tool for recommendations as to what to do next.

If you are an individual at higher risk of severe COVID-19, you may be eligible for access to antiviral treatments in the community. These treatments must be taken within the first 5 to 7 days of symptom onset.

  • Use this Ministry of Ontario antiviral treatment screener to help you assess whether you are at higher risk of severe COVID-19. 

  • If you are eligible for antiviral treatments, we recommend that you book an appointment with your Magenta Health physician. If you are attending the clinic in-person, kindly ensure you bring a mask with you to wear at all times within the clinic and exam room.

Currently, any individuals with symptoms consistent with COVID-19 are presumed positive and they should follow isolation and/or self-monitoring guidelines:

  • Drink plenty of fluids

  • Get as much rest as possible

  • Try a humidifier, hot shower or salt water gargles for a sore throat

  • Self-isolate  according to the instructions given to you by the testing facility.

  • If you have further concerns about your case, please book an appointment to discuss with your physician.

Kindly note that if you have an existing appointment, or if you opt to book an appointment to discuss your concerns with your physician, you can still attend an in-person appointment with a positive result. Review our guidance for more information about how to prepare for this type of appointment.

How can I protect Myself?

COVID-19  is spread mainly from person to person by respiratory droplets through close contact, for example, in a household, workplace or health care centre. 

There are everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause viral respiratory illnesses, like COVID-19:

  • get fully vaccinated and your booster dose when eligible

  • wear a mask

  • wash your hands often with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer

  • sneeze and cough into your sleeve

  • avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth

  • avoid contact with people who are sick, and stay home if you are sick

  • practice physical (social) distancing

We have consolidated our COVID-19 vaccine information onto a new page. Click here to be redirected.

VACCINATION

WHAT IS Physical (social) DISTANCING?

It means making changes in your everyday routines in order to minimize close contact with others.

Physical (social) distancing includes, but is not limited to:

  • avoiding crowded places and non-essential gatherings

  • avoiding common greetings, such as handshakes

  • limiting contact with people at higher risk (e.g. older adults and those in poor health)

  • keeping a distance of at least 2 arms lengths (approximately 2 meters) from others, as much as possible

  • avoiding non-essential trips in the community

Remember: While you may not feel sick, and while we know these measures are 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.

Should I Go to the ER?

As always, if you’re having difficulty breathing or are experiencing other emergency symptoms, please visit an emergency department or call 9-1-1 immediately. If you do need to go to Emergency Department please: 

  • Wear a mask the whole time if you have one

  • If you’re able to, it’s best to drive alone in your car or walk; next option is to take a rideshare or taxi, sit in the back seat and keep windows down 

  • Avoid public transit if at all possible

  • If you are NOT well enough to take personal transportation (e.g., car, taxi), call 911, tell EMS in advance of the circumstances to ensure your care providers take appropriate precautions

Can I get tested for covid-19?

Magenta Health is not equipped to do any testing at this time.

As of December 30, 2021, testing is open to symptomatic individuals within these eligible groups. Please check out your closest Assessment Centre's website to see if you qualify under their criteria. Each location’s website should list opening hours, and whether the site requires an appointment or accepts walk-ins (this varies between sites and may change over time). 

WHAT IF I QUALIFY FOR TESTING BUT DO NOT GET TESTED?

Toronto Public Health’s recommendation is that <12 years old OR fully vaccinated (2 doses of vaccine > 14 days) individuals

WITH any symptoms consistent with COVID-19 (fever/chills, trouble breathing, decrease or loss of smell or taste, new or worsening cough, sore throat, headache, muscle aches, fatigue, runny nose/nasal congestion, and joint aches) should self-isolate at home until you have no fever AND symptoms are improving for at least 24 hours (or 48 hours for gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting and/or diarrhea).

Please inform anyone you had close contact with in the 48 hours before your symptoms began or your positive test result, whichever came first.

WHAT IF MY TEST RESULTS WERE NEGATIVE BUT I STILL HAVE SYMPTOMS SUGGESTIVE OF COVID?

If your test was negative, you can stop self-isolating if you no longer have a fever and your symptoms are improving for at least 24 hours (48 hours if you have gastrointestinal symptoms) as long as you are not required to be in self-isolation for another reason (such as being a close contact of a case or if you recently returned from travel).

WHAT IF I HAVE BEEN TESTED FOR COVID AND I…

  • Am a healthcare worker?

  • Work in or attend a school?

  • Have children that attend school?

  • Am a close contact?

Please refer to this link for the most updated follow-up instructions after completing a COVID-19 test.

I’M STILL CONCERNED, IS THERE SOMEONE THAT I CAN TALK TO?

If you’re experiencing relatively mild respiratory symptoms, staying home, self-isolating, and monitoring your symptoms is the best course of conduct for yourself and your community. Grab a blanket, binge on some Netflix, and only seek additional care if your condition worsens.

Should I self-isolate?

You will need to stay home and self-isolate  if you have:

  • A lab-confirmed COVID-19 infection, do not require hospitalization, and a medical practitioner has indicated that you can recover at home

  • Are being assessed for COVID-19 infection by a healthcare provider

  • Are living with someone who is diagnosed or suspected of having COVID-19

  • Any symptoms consistent with COVID-19 (fever/chills, trouble breathing, decrease or loss of smell or taste, new or worsening cough, sore throat, headache, muscle aches, fatigue, runny nose/nasal congestion, and joint aches) for 5 days minimum AND have been symptom free for 24 hours (48 hours if you have gastrointestinal symptoms) - only applies to fully vaccinated individuals.

  • Individuals who are unvaccinated, partially vaccinated or immunocompromised will be required to isolate for 10 days.