COVID-19 Disease and Infection
COVID-19 is a respiratory illness caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. It was first identified in late 2019 and declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization on March 11, 2020. On this page you will find information and resources about COVID-19.
COVID-19 in Huron and Perth |
Huron Perth Public Health (HPPH) no longer updates our own dashboards on COVID-19 testing, cases, and vaccination. Similar information is available through Public Health Ontario's interactive Ontario COVID-19 data tool, including case counts by hospitalizations and deaths, vaccine uptake by age, sex, and public health unit, outbreaks, and more. How to see Huron Perth information in the provincial data tool Please visit Ontario COVID-19 data tool. Scroll part way down the page until you see the blue bar with tabs. Click on the COVID-19 and Influenza Activity tab to see a provincial summary. To find Huron Perth information:
Additional COVID-19 data sources and reports:
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If you were exposed to COVID-19 or have symptoms |
If you are having difficulty breathing or are experiencing other severe symptoms, call 9-1-1 and inform them that you may have COVID-19. Visit the provincial webpage, Protection from COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses to learn how to protect yourself, your family, and your community from COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses. Stay home when sick If you are sick with COVID-19 or another respiratory illness, stay home to prevent spreading the virus to others, except to seek testing or medical care if required. You should stay home until all of the following apply to you:
When your symptoms are improving and you are no longer isolating at home, doing the following can provide extra protection against the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses circulating in the community. For 10 days after your symptoms started:
If you work in a high risk setting If you have symptoms of COVID-19 or have tested positive for COVID-19 and work in a high-risk setting (such as a hospital, a long-term care home, or a retirement home), you should speak with your employer and follow your workplace guidance for return to work. Staying safe in school and child care settings While most COVID-19 public health measures have been lifted, COVID-19, influenza, and other respiratory illnesses are still circulating in our community and may pose a risk of severe outcomes in some people. Children under the age of five are especially vulnerable to influenza and RSV. The following protective measures will help reduce the risk of respiratory virus transmission in schools:
If you test positive for COVID-19 or have COVID-19 symptoms For information on isolation and what to do if you test positive for COVID-19, visit the provincial webpage, Protection from COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses or call the Provincial Testing and Isolation Line at 1-888-777-0730 (available Monday to Sunday 8am-6pm). Please see the following provincial resources for more information:
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COVID-19 Testing and Results |
If you have questions related to COVID-19 testing and isolation guidelines, please call the Provincial Testing and Isolation Information Line at 1-888-777-0730 or visit the Protection from COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses webpage. For information on testing eligibility, testing locations, and receiving results please visit COVID-19 testing and treatment. If you have symptoms but are not eligible for testing, assume you have COVID-19 and follow COVID-19 health advice. Rapid Antigen Testing Huron Perth Public Health does not have rapid antigen tests for distribution. Please see the relevant categories below for information on how to access rapid antigen tests. For more information on what to do if you get a positive rapid antigen test result or are symptomatic, please visit the provincial webpage, Protection from COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses.
COVID, Cold and Flu Care Clinics in Huron Perth closing March 31, 2023 As a result of lower rates of COVID-19 and a reduction in demand for services, the Huron Perth & Area Ontario Health Team has announced that Stratford, Goderich, and Grand Bend COVID, Cold, and Flu Care Clinics (CCFCCs) will close on March 31, 2023. After this date, if you think you need a COVID-19 test, assessment or treatment, you can:
If you think you have COVID-19 and are seeking treatment, don't delay. You will need to start treatment within 5 days of the start of symptoms. Anyone with severe symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, or any other medical emergency should call 9-1-1. |
COVID-19 Antiviral Treatments |
For general information and eligibility, please visit Antiviral Treatments. To determine if you are at higher risk of severe COVID-19 and should be assessed for treatment, use the provincial COVID-19 antiviral treatment screener. Antiviral treatment is not a substitute for vaccination and is intended for those who are at higher risk of severe outcomes. To learn more about getting a COVID-19 vaccine, please visit COVID-19 vaccines. If you have symptoms (even if mild) and are at higher risk of severe COVID-19, seek testing and care immediately by either:
You can use a rapid antigen test if you have one, but it's important to understand that these tests may be negative in the early stages of infection. If you do not have a rapid antigen test, or if your test result is negative, seek PCR testing and clinical assessment immediately. If you are high risk and do not have a primary care provider or are having difficulty accessing care, call Health811 (formerly Telehealth) at 8-1-1 or visit the Health811 website. You can speak to or chat online with a nurse for information on antiviral treatments, assistance, or eligibility for virtual care options. If you do not have symptoms but are at higher risk of severe COVID-19, talk to your primary care provider about getting pre-assessed for treatment in case you contract COVID-19. |
Post COVID-19 Condition (Long COVID) |
Post COVID-19 condition is when the symptoms of COVID-19 persist for more than 12 weeks after the infection. It's also known as long COVID and can affect both adults and children. You can show symptoms of post COVID-19 condition even if you:
Post COVID-19 condition is not COVID-19. Symptoms can persist for weeks or months from the initial COVID-19 infection, but you can also develop new ones. The best way to prevent post COVID-19 condition is to take measures to avoid getting infected in the first place, such as staying home when sick, wearing a well-fitted mask, and getting vaccinated. For more information:
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COVID-19 Vaccines |
COVID-19 vaccines are available for everyone ages six months and older. For more information please see COVID-19 Vaccine. |