2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Before you contact Region of Waterloo Public Health review the important updates to symptoms, treatment, and testing.

If you think you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms use the self-assessment tool to help determine how to seek further care. 

If you are having difficulty breathing or experiencing other severe symptoms, call 911. Advise them of your symptoms and travel history, if applicable.

COVID-19 assessment and testing

COVID-19 self-assessment

COVID-19 inquiries

COVID-19 complaints

Waterloo Region COVID-19 summary

On this page

• Background
• Symptoms
• Treatment
• Testing
• Returning travellers
• How to self-isolate
• How to protect yourself
  • Face coverings
  • Physical distancing
• Create a social circle during COVID-19
• Staying healthy during COVID-19
• Resources
• Translated resources
• Frequently Asked Questions

Background

Region of Waterloo Public Health continues to work closely with local hospitals, health care partners, the Ministry of Health, Public Health Ontario and many community partners to respond to Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Waterloo Region.

For more information visit the Ministry of Health and the Public Health Agency of Canada.

Symptoms of COVID-19

Symptoms of COVID-19 range from mild - like the flu and other common respiratory infections - to severe. The most common symptoms include fever, cough and shortness of breath.

If you have any symptoms use the self-assessment tool to help determine if you need to seek care or testing. If the self-assessment indicates that clinical assessment is necessary, this tool will connect you to a primary care provider (your own or an on-call provider). You may be referred for in-person assessment and/or testing, if needed.

If you are experiencing symptoms, you must self-isolate at home for 14 days from the day you developed symptoms. You can stop isolating at home after 14 days if you do not have a fever and your symptoms are improving.

Most people with mild symptoms will recover on their own at home and do not require assessment by Region of Waterloo Public Health. 

Worsening symptoms

If you develop worsening symptoms (such as worsening cough or fever):

• Call your health care provider (if applicable)
• Call Telehealth 1-866-797-0000
• If Telehealth and your health care provider are both closed/unavailable, call ahead before going to the hospital emergency department

Severe symptoms

If you have severe symptoms (such as severe difficulty breathing, severe chest pain, confusion, or loss of consciousness):

• Call 911
• Go to the hospital emergency department and advise them of your symptoms and travel history, if applicable

You do not need a phone assessment by Region of Waterloo Public Health to access appropriate healthcare from your health care provider or an emergency department if you are experiencing severe symptoms. Always call ahead when seeking care.

Treatment

There are currently no specific treatments or vaccine that protects against COVID-19. 

Most people with mild symptoms will recover on their own at home. 

For treatment at home you should:

• drink plenty of fluids
• get rest and sleep as much as possible
• try a humidifier or a hot shower to help with a sore throat or cough
• self-isolate 

You must self-isolate at home for 14 days from the day you developed symptoms. You can stop isolating at home after 14 days if you do not have a fever and your symptoms are improving. 

Use the self-assessment tool to help determine if you need to seek care or testing. If the self-assessment indicates that clinical assessment is necessary, this tool will connect you to a primary care provider (your own or an on-call provider). You may be referred for in-person assessment and/or testing, if needed.

If you are having difficulty breathing or experiencing other severe symptoms, call 911. Advise them of your symptoms and travel history, if applicable.

Testing

Clinical assessment and testing is available for:

• Anyone with at least one symptom
• Anyone concerned they have been exposed to COVID-19
• Anyone who is at risk of exposure to COVID-19 through their employment (e.g. health care workers, grocery store employees, food processing employees)

You do not need a referral from a primary care provider or Public Health to access testing. All the assessment centres take self-referrals.

If you would like, you can use the self-assessment tool or speak to your primary care provider, to help determine if you need to seek care or testing.

If you get tested, remain in self-isolation while you wait for your results if you:

Returning travellers

The Government of Canada has put in place an Emergency Order under the Quarantine Act that applies to all travellers arriving in Canada in order to slow the spread of COVID-19. All travellers returning from destinations outside of Canada are required to self-isolate for 14 days. 

Stay at home and avoid close contact with others, including others at home, for 14 days. Do not go to work, the grocery store or on walks. Exemptions may apply for certain groups, such as health care workers.

If you need groceries or other essential items, have a family member, friend or neighbour do this for you and leave items at the door, or use a delivery service. 

If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, use the self-assessment tool or speak to your primary care provider, to help determine if you need to seek care or testing. If you are having difficulty breathing or experiencing other severe symptoms, call 911. Advise them of your symptoms and travel history.

You may not leave your place of isolation unless it is to seek medical assistance. A negative test does not exempt you from the 14 day self-isolation period required by the Quarantine Act. 

How to self-isolate

Self-isolating at home includes:

• Staying at home
• No visitors in your home unless essential (e.g. caregivers) 
• Avoiding contact with others, including others in your home
  • Have food brought to you
  • Use a separate bedroom and bathroom, if possible
  • If a separate bathroom is not an option, clean all surfaces with a disinfectant after use 
• Keeping at least two metres distance between yourself and others
• Washing your hands and covering your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your sleeve

If you cannot self-isolate from others in your home, everyone in your home will need to self-isolate.

How to protect yourself

Everyday actions can help prevent the spread of germs and viruses like COVID-19:

• Practice physical distancing between yourself and people outside your social circle
• Wash your hands often with warm water and soap or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
• Wear a face covering in enclosed public places and on transit
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
• Stay home when you are sick
• Sneeze and cough into your sleeve
• Avoid contact with people who are sick

Physical distancing

We encourage all residents to practice physical distancing (also known as social distancing). Physical distancing means keeping a distance of 2 metres between yourself and others when you leave your home as well as limiting the number of people you come into close contact with.

Physical distancing includes, but is not limited to:

• Limiting non-essential trips out of your home
• Maintaining a distance of 2 metres (two arms' length) between yourself and anyone outside of your social circle
• Limiting group gatherings 
• Connecting with family and friends by phone, video chat or social media
• Working from home where possible
• Staying home when you are sick

Members of the same household or social circle do not need to distance from each other unless they are sick or have travelled within the past 14 days.

When you need to leave your home, make sure to avoid crowds and keep a distance of 2 metres (two arms' length) between yourself and others at all times.

These measures help protect yourself and others in our community. We are all in this together.

Create a social circle during COVID-19

Think of your social circle or 'bubble' as the people you can hug and touch, or those who can become part of your daily and weekly routines.

You can have a social circle of no more than 10 people who can interact with one another without physical distancing. 

Everyone living in the same household is in a social circle.

People in the same social circle:

• do not have to physically distance
• can hug and touch each other
• should continue to follow public health advice, including hand washing and staying home and self-isolate if you are sick
  

Visit create a social circle during COVID-19 for more information.

Staying healthy during COVID-19

• Adults and COVID-19
  • Information about healthy eating, managing stress, physical activity, pregnancy, breastfeeding and more
• Children/Teens and COVID-19
  • Information about healthy eating, managing stress, physical distancing, physical activity and more

Resources

Translated resources

Frequently Asked Questions

Review our list of Frequently Asked Questions.