Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) - Health Professionals

Last Updated: December 8, 2022

In addition to the information below, please also refer to the general Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update and COVID-19 Information: Workplaces, Employers, Employees pages. 

COVID-19 Testing, Exposure and Isolation Information

This information may change as more evidence becomes available. Please check back for updates. 

What to do if you have symptoms or test positive for COVID-19

Highest Risk Settings

For information on highest risk settings, including hospitals, health care settings and congregate living settings, visit our COVID-19 Highest Risk Settings page. 

Testing Resources

For information on getting tested and locations of assessment/testing centres in Huron Perth, visit: COVID-19 Testing, Tracing and Results.

For case and contact management resources, see the Ministry of Health's COVID-19 Guidance for the Health Sector. 

Guidance Documents and Directives 

For the most updated guidance documents for all sectors, refer to the Ministry of Health's COVID-19 Guidance for the Health Sector. Directives and Minister's Orders for all sectors can be found at COVID-19: Orders, Directives, Memorandums and Other Resources. 

Acute care

Long-Term Care Homes and Retirement Residences

Pregnancy, Labour, Delivery and Newborn Care

Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC)

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) 

COVID-19 Vaccine Information

For information on providing other immunizations during COVID-19, visit our Immunization and Vaccines page.  

COVID-19 Antiviral treatments

To be considered for antiviral treatment, individuals must have symptoms and test positive for COVID‑19 (by molecular or rapid antigen test). They also need to be assessed by a health care provider to determine if treatment is right for them, which includes whether or not they are at higher risk of developing severe symptoms.

Individuals may be at higher risk if they are:

  • 60 years of age or older
  • 18 years of age or older and are immunocompromised
  • 18-59 years old and at a higher risk of severe COVID-19, including having:
    • chronic medical conditions (such as diabetes, heart, or lung disease)
    • inadequate immunity against COVID-19 from:
      • not receiving a full primary series of the COVID-19 vaccine
      • having received a full primary series but no COVID-19 vaccine or COVID-19 infection within the past six months

Based on an individual's circumstances, a health care provider may determine that treatment is right for them even if they do not belong to one of the groups above.

The use of antivirals in children under the age of 18 is not routinely recommended. Exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis, such as for children who are severely immunocompromised and/or have multiple risk factors.

Available treatments

Paxlovid

  • Oral antiviral treatment for COVID-19, available for free by prescription to individuals with COVID-19 who are at higher risk of severe illness and hospitalization. Treatment must begin within five days of the start of symptoms.
  • Can be prescribed by any physician, nurse practitioner, or pharmacist and is available through clinical assessment centres, hospitals, and participating pharmacies.

Remdesivir

  • Antiviral medication that must be given intravenously at designated clinics. Treatment must begin within seven days of the start of symptoms.

Individuals can access Ontario’s antiviral screener tool to help determine if they are at higher risk and should be assessed for treatment. A positive rapid antigen test, PCR or rapid molecular test is required as part of the assessment for antiviral treatment. Anyone who is eligible for an assessment is also eligible for a PCR test at any testing centre in Ontario. 

Individuals can access Ontario’s antiviral screener tool to help determine if they are at higher risk and should be assessed for treatment. A positive rapid antigen test, PCR or rapid molecular test is required as part of the assessment for antiviral treatment. Free rapid antigen tests are available for pick at participating retail locations across the province.

A list of pharmacies that are dispensing Paxlovid can be found at COVID-19 testing and treatment.

Preventive treatments (pre-exposure prophylaxis)

Evusheld

  • Single dose of antibodies (two injections at the same time) that provides protection for immunocompromised individuals from COVID‑19 for at least six months.
  • Evusheld requires a prescription and is only authorized for patients who:
    • are not positive for COVID‑19 at the time of treatment
    • are 12 and older
    • have certain health conditions that make them higher risk and need additional protection, including:
      • solid organ transplant recipients
      • stem cell transplant recipients
      • CAR-T therapy recipients
      • other hematologic cancer patients undergoing treatment
      • people receiving anti-B-cell therapy (such as rituximab)
      • people with significant primary immunodeficiency

Provider Guidance

Additional resources for antiviral treatments and preventive treatments are available from Ontario Health.

HPPH Communications

Huron Perth Public Health occasionally sends updates to stakeholders, including primary care, hospitals, EMS partners, municipalities, and long-term care. To be added to our stakeholder contact list, please email communications@hpph.ca with your name and email address and identify your organization.