Coronavirus Resources for Health Professionals

On this page

• Health professionals in the workplace
• COVID-19 vaccine
• Long-term care, retirement homes, and congregate living settings (including group homes, emergency shelters and co-living settings)
• Health sector resources
• Telehealth information
• Print resources

Report a suspect, probable or confirmed case of COVID-19

This form can be used by the following high-risk congregate settings to report suspected, probable or confirmed cases of COVID-19:

• Hospitals
• Long-term care homes
• Retirement Homes
• Congregate Settings
• Emergency Shelters

Health professionals in the workplace

• Case definition - Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) (Ministry of Health)
• Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): For health professionals (PHAC)
• Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) testing (Public Health Ontario)
• COVID-19 health care resources (Public Health Ontario)
  • COVID-19: Universal mask use in health care 
  • How to self-isolate while working 
  • Infection prevention and control fundamentals 
  • Recommended steps: Taking off personal protective equipment (PPE)
  • IPAC recommendations for use of PPE for care of individuals with confirmed or suspect COVID-19
• COVID-19 public resources (Public Health Ontario)
• How to self-isolate
• How to self-monitor 
• Guidance for the Health Sector (Ministry of Health)
• How you can help during the pandemic (Family and Children's Services of the Waterloo Region)

Assessment and testing centres

• COVID-19 Referral Form
• COVID-19 Stop the Spread

Employees of local hospitals, long-term care facilities, retirement or group homes, and first responders can inquire about testing through their employers.

All health care workers in the community can self-refer for testing to any of the assessment and testing centres.

Safe Voluntary Isolation Site

Region of Waterloo Public Health offers a Safe Voluntary Isolation Site to support individuals who are unable to isolate safely at home. For more information on eligibility and how to apply, visit our Safe Voluntary Isolation Site webpage.

Mental health resources for health professionals

• Crisis training for essential workers (Mental Health Commission of Canada)
• ECHO Coping with COVID (Centre for Addiction and Mental Health & University of Toronto)
• Here 24/7 (Addictions, Mental Health & Crisis Services Waterloo - Wellington)
• Mental health and COVID-19 (Centre for Addiction and Mental Health)
• Ontario COVID-19 Mental Health Network

COVID-19 vaccines

Adverse events after immunization (AEFI)

• If your patient/client experiences an adverse event after immunization:
  • Waterloo Region health care providers are required to report an adverse event following an immunization.
  • Report adverse events using the Adverse Event Following Immunization Form and fax it to Region of Waterloo Public Health at 519-883-2248. The AEFI reporting form has been updated to include adverse events of special interest for COVID-19 vaccine. 
  • Please do not direct your patient/client to call Region of Waterloo Public Health. 
• If you experience an adverse event after immunization:
  • Please contact your health care provider. Do not self-report your own adverse event. Your health care provider will complete the required form and submit it to Region of Waterloo Public Health.

• Fact Sheet - Adverse Event Following Immunization Reporting For Health Care Providers In Ontario (Public Health Ontario)

Vaccine information

• COVID-19 Vaccine-Relevant Information and Planning Resources (Ontario Ministry of Health)
• COVID-19 Vaccination Recommendations for Special Populations (Ontario Ministry of Health)
• Recommendations on the use of COVID-19 vaccines (National Advisory Committee on Immunization)
• Refer to our COVID-19 vaccine page and COVID-19 vaccine FAQs for more information.

Long-term Care, Retirement Homes, and Congregate Living Settings (including Group Homes, Emergency Shelters and Co-living Settings)

Report any resident, staff or visitor with COVID-19 symptoms, high risk contacts, or those with positive results using the secure online reporting form.

Refer to the Ministry of Health's Guidance for the Health Sector for more information.

Questions? Contact Public Health by email or call 519-575-4400 ext 5506.

Facility status 

Review the current status via Ontario COVID-19 Data Tool or the Waterloo Region COVID-19 Summary.

For operators, learn about COVID-19 guidance and regulations. Refer to the Ministry of Health's Guidance for the Health Sector for more information.

• COVID-19 Guidance Document for Long-Term Care Homes in Ontario
  • For more information, refer to Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Information for the Long-Term Care (LTC) Sector
    • COVID-19 Long-Term Care Communications
    • COVID-19 Long-Term Care Sector Tools
    • Long-Term Care Home Action Line/Family Support Line
    • Resources
• COVID-19 Guidance Document for Retirement Homes in Ontario (MSAA)
  • For more Information, refer to COVID-19 Updates and Resources for Retirement Home Operators
    • RHRA Special Advisories
    • COVID-19 Resources
• COVID-19 Guidance: Congregate Living for Vulnerable Populations
• COVID-19 Guidance for MCCSS-funded and Licensed Congregate Living Settings

Outbreak preparedness

Public Health Ontario Resources:

• COVID-19 Long-Term Care Resources
• COVID-19 Resources for Congregate Living Settings
  • Cohorting in Outbreaks in Congregate Living Settings

Printable resources for respiratory outbreak preparedness:

• Respiratory Outbreak Management Plan
  • To request a copy of the COVID-19 line list template please email Public Health
  • Respiratory Infection Resident Illness Line Listing
  • Respiratory Infection Staff Illness Line Listing
• Physician Letter for Outbreak Preparedness (Flu)

Quick links

• COVID-19 Long Term Care Resources (Public Health Ontario)
• Critical Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Intake Form (Ontario Health)
• De-escalation of COVID-19 outbreak control measures in long-term care and retirement homes
• Environmental Cleaning Toolkit (Public Health Ontario)
• LTCH RH guidance for PHUs - English
• Long-term care homes COVID-19 screening checklist
• Mental Health Supports for LTC Team Members
• Ministry of Health Orders, Directives and Memorandums
• West Region Swab Order Form
• COVID-19 Resources for Congregate Living Settings (Public Health Ontario)
• Prevention and Management of COVID-19 Resources (Public Health Ontario

Health sector resources

Community supports

• Region of Waterloo's COVID-19 Community Supports

Geriatric care

• Government of Canada's Resources for Seniors and their Caregivers

Mental health

• Mental Health Commission of Canada's COVID-19 Resources

• Ministry of Health's Resources for Ontarians Experiencing Mental Health and Addiction Issues During the Pandemic

Palliative care

• Ontario Palliative Care Network's COVID-19 Resources

Paediatric care

• CPS's Caring for Kids COVID-19 Resources
• Ministry of Health's Talking to Children About the Pandemic
• Sick Kid's About Kids Health COVID-19 Learning Hub

Pregnancy/Childbirth/Newborn 

• Government of Canada's Advice for Mothers during COVID-19
• SOGC's COVID-19 Resources

Telehealth information

• Telemedicine: The Essentials
• Telemedicine: The Basics

Print resources

• COVID-19 Public Resources
• COVID-19 Translated Resources
• Help Stop the Spread of Germs!
• IPAC recommendations for use of PPE for care of individuals with confirmed or suspect COVID-19
• Physical Distancing
• Practice Physical Distancing
• What is Physical Distancing
• COVID-19 Guidance: Congregate Living for Vulnerable Populations
• COVID-19 Guidance for MCCSS-funded and Licensed Congregate Living Settings