Coronavirus FAQs

The 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a new respiratory infection first identified in Wuhan, Hubei province, China. 

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that can cause illnesses ranging from the common cold to more serious respiratory infections like bronchitis, pneumonia or severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).

COVID-19 is a new coronavirus that has not been previously identified. 

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. For schools and child care centres, use the COVID-19 school and child care screening tool. The screening tool will help determine if you need to seek care, or testing, based on your symptoms. Follow the instructions in the tool. 

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 are experiencing symptoms, you must self-isolate at home while awaiting your test results or until you meet the criteria provided in the tool if you do not require testing. You will be advised to continue self-isolation depending on your test result, your exposure, travel history and/or as directed by Public Health.

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

They are most commonly spread from an infected person through:

• respiratory droplets generated when you cough or sneeze
• close, prolonged personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands
• touching something with the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose or eyes before washing your hands

For most people, COVID-19 causes only mild illness.

Older people and those with a weakened immune system or underlying medical condition(s) are at a higher risk of developing severe disease.

Practice physical distancing (also known as social distancing). Stay at home. Avoid non-essential trips and keep a distance of 2 metres between yourself and others when you are out.

You can prevent the spread of germs and viruses, like COVID-19, if you:

• Wash your hands often with warm water and soap or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
• Avoid contact with people who are sick
• Stay home when you are sick
• Sneeze and cough into your sleeve
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth

Avoid large gatherings. Postpone or cancel large gatherings. This includes sporting events, conferences, meetings, religious or social gatherings, festivals, markets or other similar events. 

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 develop any symptoms use the self-assessment tool. For schools and child care centres, use the COVID-19 school and child care screening tool.

The screening tool will help determine if you need to seek care, or testing, based on your symptoms.  

Symptoms but have not travelled

If you have any symptoms use the self-assessment tool. For schools and child care centres, use the COVID-19 school and child care screening tool. The screening tool will help determine if you need to seek care, or testing, based on your symptoms. Follow the instructions in the tool. 

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 are experiencing symptoms, you must self-isolate at home while awaiting your test results or until you meet the criteria provided in the tool if you do not require testing. You will be advised to continue self-isolation depending on your test result, your exposure, travel history and/or as directed by Public Health.

In Waterloo Region wearing a face covering in enclosed public places and on transit is required by the Face Covering By-law and/or the Code of Use By-law.

Face coverings are an additional tool to help slow the spread of COVID-19. Even if you have no symptoms a face covering can help contain your own respiratory droplets when you talk, cough, or sneeze. For more information visit our Face Coverings page. 

Other household members can self-monitor if someone in your home is self-isolating but they:

• Use a separate bedroom
• Use a separate bathroom
  • If a separate bathroom is not an option, clean all surfaces with a disinfectant after use 
• Have food brought to them
• Keep 2 metres distance between other household members

If self-isolation from others household members cannot be maintained, all household members will need to self-isolate. 

If you have been in contact with someone who is sick or who has tested positive for coronavirus, use the self-assessment tool. For schools and child care centres, use the COVID-19 school and child care screening tool. The screening tool will help determine if you need to seek care, or testing, based on your symptoms. Follow the instructions in the tool. 

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 are experiencing symptoms, you must self-isolate at home while awaiting your test results or until you meet the criteria provided in the tool if you do not require testing. You will be advised to continue self-isolation depending on your test result, your exposure, travel history and/or as directed by Public Health.

Visit COVID-19 assessment and testing centres in Waterloo Region page for more information about testing.

If you have any symptoms use the self-assessment tool. For schools and child care centres, use the COVID-19 school and child care screening tool. The screening tool will help determine if you need to seek care, or testing, based on your symptoms. Follow the instructions in the tool. 

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 are experiencing symptoms, you must self-isolate at home while awaiting your test results or until you meet the criteria provided in the tool if you do not require testing. You will be advised to continue self-isolation depending on your test result, your exposure, travel history and/or as directed by Public Health.

While COVID-19 can make anyone sick, some Canadians with specific health circumstances are at an increased risk of more severe outcomes, including individuals:

• aged 60 and over
• with compromised immune systems
• with underlying medical conditions

It is recommended that individuals in these groups stay home. More information on how older adults and people with chronic medical conditions or weakened immune systems can protect themselves from COVID-19 is available from Public Health Ontario. 

Social and economic factors may also make some groups and individuals more vulnerable to COVID-19. A list of COVID-19 Community supports is available on our website. For more information on how to support vulnerable populations during COVID-19, visit the Health Canada website. 

I have tested negative, how can I get a letter from Public Health so I can return to work?

Your results, viewed online through the Ministry of Health, may be used with your consent if requested by your employer. Region of Waterloo Public Health is not providing letters for negative test results. 

When can I return to work after self-isolation?

If you have symptoms with no known exposure:

Stay home in self-isolation for 10 days. The 10 days start from the date you began feeling symptoms.

You do not have to self-isolate anymore if you get tested and the result is negative (you do not have the virus) and you are feeling better.

If you were exposed to a COVID-19-positive person:

Stay home in self-isolation for 14 days and monitor for symptoms. The 14 days start from the date you were exposed.

It is 14 days because that is how long it may take for symptoms to appear.

Visit coronavirus resources for workplaces for more information.

If you are a health worker, visit coronavirus resources for health professionals for specific guidelines and resources. 

I have travelled, where can I apply for compassionate entry and limited release from quarantine?

Every person entering Canada, with limited exceptions, must quarantine for 14 days, starting on the day of arrival. Travellers entering Canada may seek approval from the Government of Canada for an exemption from border restrictions and a limited release from mandatory quarantine for compassionate reasons. Before your trip to Canada, you must receive advance approval for both the exemption to the border restrictions and a limited release from quarantine.

For information and the form to apply, please visit Compassionate entry for travellers and limited release from quarantine on the Government of Canada’s website. Please note that local public health units have no role in this process.

Will someone contact me if I had contact with someone who tested positive for Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)?

The public health unit that is managing the case will follow up with anyone who is determined to be a high risk close contact of a positive case (prolonged exposure for 15 minutes or more without physical distancing or PPE).

Since the pandemic started in March, Public Health has had to redeploy staff to manage the hundreds of calls we get from the public each day.

Each day we have staff who have been redeployed to take the calls. Some calls are for complaints, bylaw, general information and in some cases the calls require the expertise of our nurses.

In order to handle the volume of calls, we route them accordingly. When we have calls where people say they have missed a call from a nurse for example, these calls get redirected to go straight through to a nurse. In some cases the calls may go to voicemail for the nurse as they may be on the other line returning calls. The process depends on the nature of the call.

Sometimes calls get converted to an email for follow-up so that we can send the questions off to the appropriate area. Not all calls require a nurse for follow up.

Screening these emails allows us to determine that only those calls needing a response from a nurse are sent to them, so that their valuable time is used accordingly.

Public health measures can be implemented in the workplaces to prevent the spread of the virus causing COVID-19. Please visit the Public Health Agency of Canada website for workplace strategies on COVID-19 mitigation.

The public health unit that is managing the case will follow up with anyone who is determined to be a high risk close contact of a positive case (prolonged exposure for 15 minutes or more without physical distancing or PPE).

Effective Tuesday, March 24 at 11:59 p.m. the Government of Ontario has ordered the mandatory closure of all non-essential workplaces. 

Visit the Government of Ontario's website to read the complete list of essential workplaces and for more emergency information. 

Visit the Government of Ontario's website for information on Stage 3 reopening.

Effective Wednesday, March 25 the Region of Waterloo, and all seven area municipalities, declared States of Emergency in accordance with the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act.

For a list of closures visit Regional closures and service changes.

No, if you are in self-isolation do not go outside for a walk, run, bike ride etc. You can go outside into your own backyard or property but ensure you stay away from public and shared spaces. If you live in an apartment or condo building, avoid communal areas such as hallways, elevators, stairwells and laundry rooms. Only leave your place of isolation to seek medical attention.

If you are self-isolating and need to get groceries or other essential items, you can ask a friend, neighbour or family member to buy your items and drop them off on your doorstep. Many grocery stores are also now offering delivery services. If you have a need for emergency food, please contact the Food Bank of Waterloo Region.

Why are there different gathering limits for unmonitored, private social gatherings?

Gathering limits of 10 people for indoor events, 25 people for outdoor events are for unmonitored and private social gatherings including functions, parties, dinners, gatherings, BBQs or wedding receptions held in private residences, backyards, parks and other recreational areas.

Indoor and outdoor events and gatherings cannot be merged together. Gatherings of 35 (25 outdoors and 10 indoors) are not permitted.

These limits do not apply to events or gatherings held in staffed businesses and facilities, such as bars, restaurants, cinemas, convention centres, banquet halls, gyms, places of worship, recreational sporting or performing art events. 

Does the new gathering limit apply to businesses?

Gathering limits of 10 people for indoor events, 25 people for outdoor events do not apply to events or gatherings held in staffed businesses and facilities, such as bars, restaurants, cinemas, convention centres, banquet halls, gyms, places of worship, recreational sporting or performing art events. 

Do I need to practice physical distancing at a social gathering?

Physical distancing must be maintained with anyone not in your social circle in all settings. When physical distance cannot be guaranteed, a face covering should be worn in all settings. 

Who do I contact to report large gatherings?

Visit our who to contact page to find out who to contact depending on your concern. 

Where can I find the guidelines for community gardens?

Visit our Community Gardens page for the COVID-19 guidelines for community gardens.

Can I get COVID-19 from food?

There is currently no evidence that the COVID-19 virus is spread through food. Previous outbreaks of other coronaviruses did not show that the virus could be spread through food.  

There is limited evidence on how long the virus can stay on food.  The virus survives longest on non-porous surfaces such as stainless steel and plastic.

How should you clean produce after bringing it home from the store or market?

Clean fruits and vegetables by scrubbing them under running water.  This should be done even if you are going to peel the fruit first to avoid contaminating the produce when you cut them. Do not use soap or other disinfectants. 

It is possible that the outside of a food container has been exposed to the COVID-19 virus during transportation and storage at the store. If you are concerned, it is suggested that you wipe the outside of food containers as you unpack them when you arrive home, and wash your hands.

No. Household disinfectants (e.g. Lysol wipes, bleach solutions) are used to disinfect surfaces and are not good to use on foods. The chemicals in the wipes should not be ingested.

Is Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) the same as the SARS virus?

Although both viruses are from the same family of virus, Novel Coronavirus is not the same coronavirus that caused SARS in 2003. There were no reported cases of SARS in Waterloo Region in 2003.

Is there a risk associated with receiving packages from outside Canada?

Coronaviruses generally do not survive on surfaces after being contaminated. The risk of spread from products shipped over a period of days or weeks at room temperature is very low.

There is no known risk of coronaviruses entering Canada on parcels or packages.

For reliable, up-to-date information you may consult the Public Health Agency of Canada of the Ministry of Health. You may also check this webpage or follow us on social media at @ROWPublicHealth for information for Waterloo Region.

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.

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 Region of Waterloo Public Health. 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.

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