On this page
- Health professionals in the workplace
- Health sector
- COVID-19 vaccine
- Long-term care and retirement homes
- Group homes and co-living settings
- Telehealth information
- General health information
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 public resources (Public Health Ontario)
- Guidance for the Health Sector (Ministry of Health)
- How you can help during the pandemic (Family and Children's Services of the Waterloo Region)
- Memo: Managing Health Worker Illness and Return to Work COVID-19 (Ministry of Health)
Assessment and testing centres
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
Health sector
Community supports
Geriatric care
Mental health
Palliative care
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
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)
- Recommendations on the use of COVID-19 vaccines (National Advisory Committee on Immunization)
- COVID-19 Vaccination Recommendations for Special Populations (Ontario Ministry of Health)
- Refer to our COVID-19 vaccine page and COVID-19 vaccine FAQs for more information.
Long-term care and retirement homes
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
Learn about rules for visitors and/or resident outings/absences and review the current status or alert for facilities.
- Long-term care homes in areas with visitor restrictions
- Retirement Homes Policy to Implement Directive #3
The Fall Forum 2020 videos for Long-term Care and Retirement Homes are now available on our YouTube channel. We are organizing our Fall Forum 2021 and will upload the videos once ready for viewing.
Outbreak preparedness
Printable resources for respiratory outbreak preparedness
Quick links
- COVID-19 guidance document for long-term care homes in Ontario
- LTCH RH guidance for PHUs - English
- Guidance for mask use in long-term care homes and retirement homes
- Long-term care homes COVID-19 screening checklist
- De-escalation of COVID-19 outbreak control measures in long-term care and retirement homes
Group homes and co-living settings
Refer to the Ministry of Health’s COVID-19 Guidance for MCCSS-funded and Licensed Congregate Living Settings for more information.
All staff, volunteers and returning residents should be actively screened on intake and use the self-assessment tool. Those who fail screening are not permitted to enter.
Questions? Contact Public Health by email or call 519-575-4400 ext 5111.
Facility status
Review the Guidance on Enhanced Measures in Congregate Care Settings about rules for visitors and/or resident outings/absences in congregate care settings.
The Fall Forum 2020 videos for Congregate Settings are now available on our YouTube channel. We are organizing our Fall Forum 2021 and will upload the videos once ready for viewing.
Outbreak preparedness
Printable resources for respiratory outbreak preparedness
Quick links
- COVID-19 Resources for Congregate Living Settings (Public Health Ontario)
- Congregate Living Settings Resources Toolkit (Public Health Ontario)
Telehealth Information
General health information
For speciality specific guidance please refer to your appropriate College, Society, Association, etc.
Print resources
Contact Us