Frequently asked questions

It is diagnosed by a healthcare provider based on travel history, symptoms, and laboratory tests. If you would like to be diagnosed, please visit our COVID-19 testing criteria page.

It usually takes approximately 24 hours to a few days to receive test results for COVID-19. Please continue to self-isolate while awaiting test results.

On April 3, 2020, the Ontario Government launched a new online portal to access COVID-19 test results. This portal will offer fast and secure access to test results on your computer and mobile device. You can find the tool by visiting Government of Ontario’s new user-friendly online portal.

Please continue to self-isolate while awaiting test results. 

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
• If you have fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical care early and share your recent travel history with your health care provider
• Practice physical distancing to protect yourself and to limit transmission in the community

Yes. Public Health Units are reaching out to known contacts to inform them that they may have been exposed to a potential health risk, what signs and symptoms they should look out for, and when and what type of medical treatment should be sought out if that becomes necessary. 

Every day at 10:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.  ET,  the Province of Ontario's novel coronavirus (COVID-19) web page will be updated with the most up-to-date information including the status of cases in Ontario.

Ottawa Public Health continues to actively monitor this situation in collaboration with our provincial and national health colleagues, and stakeholders that include local hospitals and community agencies.

Cases and potential suspect cases of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) are now reportable to local health authorities under the Health Protection and Promotion Act.

If there were potential cases of which we have been notified, we would immediately follow up directly with these individuals to let them know.

We would inform these people that they may have been exposed to a potential health risk, what signs and symptoms they should look out for, and when and what type of medical treatment should be sought out, if that becomes necessary. This work is part of routine public health follow-up of a case of an infectious disease.

The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) is actively monitoring the 2019 novel coronavirus situation. They are in close contact with the World Health Organization to assess any potential risk to Canadians.

The Government of Canada, provinces and territories have multiple systems in place to identify, prevent and control the spread of serious infectious diseases into and within Canada.

Currently, there is no specific antiviral treatment for mild cases of Coronavirus Disease 2019, Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). However, many of the symptoms can be treated, and therefore treatment is based on the patient’s clinical condition.  If symptoms feel worse than a standard cold, seasonal allergies, or are lasting longer than usual, follow the guidelines provided by Ottawa Public Health. However, most people with COVID-19 will recover on their own. 

You or your family member will want to:

• Drink plenty of fluids.
• Get rest and sleep as much as possible.
• Use fever reducing medications according to the label and in consultation with your health-care provider or pharmacist.
• Try a humidifier or hot shower to help with a sore throat or cough.
• Have all family members practice good hand hygiene and maintain at least two metre distancing where possible.
• Use a solution of 20 mL of bleach with 1 litre of water (or 4 tsp of bleach with 4 cups of water) to disinfect surfaces that are touched often including but not limited to counters and doorknobs.

It is important to get the best information for your family. If you, or your family members test positive for COVID-19, you will be asked to self-monitor, or self-isolate. You can find more information on self-isolation for caregivers and household members in this handout from Public Health Ontario.  

If you need immediate medical attention, call 9-1-1, and mention your symptoms, whether you have been tested, and any travel history.

9. Is there a possibility that a person who gets the virus once can get it again?

10. Should I get re-tested once I have recovered from COVID-19?

Ottawa Public Health and the Province of Ontario do not recommend using a negative test to show recovery from COVID-19. Research on COVID-19 and local experience has found that many individuals who have had COVID-19 continue to shed dead non-infectious virus or virus pieces for weeks to months following infection. This viral shedding can result in a positive test. Instead, it is recommended to use a non-test based approach where an individual’s COVID-19 infection is considered “cleared” when all of the following criteria are met:

1. The individual has completed 14 days of isolation from when their symptoms began OR when they received a positive test result (if they never had symptoms of COVID-19)
2. The individual has not had a fever for 72 hours
3. The individual’s symptoms have been improving for at least 72 hours

Provincial Guidance is available to provide individuals with further details regarding the required amount of self-isolation and recovery time based on COVID-19 test results.

Once an individual has been cleared from isolation, they are safe to return to regular activities, such as going to work, grocery shopping, or going to other public spaces. Being re-tested after finishing isolation is not required or recommended because a positive result at that time is just a sign that you had previously been sick. Although not routinely recommended, re-testing may be used in health care settings in specific circumstances related to return to work of infected health care workers or in patients admitted to hospital.

11. Am I at risk for contracting COVID-19 if I receive a package or products by mail?

While COVID-19 can survive on some surfaces for varying lengths of time, transmission through contact with contaminated surfaces (for example where individuals touch a contaminated surface and then touch their own nose, eyes or mouth without first washing their hands) is not thought to be a major contributor to the spread of COVID-19, particularly in comparison to spread through inhalation of respiratory droplets from an infected person. People delivering and receiving packages should perform proper hand hygiene (washing hands with soap and water for at least 15 seconds or using alcohol-based hand sanitizer) regularly and always before touching their own faces (particularly mouth, nose or eyes, or face mask). Consistently performing proper hand hygiene after handling any items means that no waiting period is required for handling donated food items, mail or packages. 

12. As an employer, what do I need to do to prevent the novel coronavirus (COVID-19)?

Visit our webpage about COVID-19 information for workplaces which provides many recommendations.

13. Should healthcare workers who have travelled outside of Canada go back to work upon their return? 

Employers/healthcare institutions may implement requirements for their staff beyond what is being recommended for returning travellers.  

• Learn more on returning from travel WITH symptoms 
• Learn more on returning from travel WITHOUT symptoms

14. How do I pick up a returning traveller from an affected area from the airport? Are there precautions I should take? 

If a returned traveller has no symptoms and is well, it is best they use a private car. If a private car is not available, the person can take public transportation, but must not make any unnecessary stops on their way home, and must practice physical distancing at all times. The person can take a ride-share, but must not make any unnecessary stops on their way home. The person should sit in the back-seat passenger side, keep the windows open, and practice physical distancing at all times.

All returning travelers should wear a mask (if available) when they are picked up from the airport.

All returning travellers with symptoms or who appear ill should report these while going through customs in the airport. They must go to their place of isolation using private transportation only, such as a personal vehicle. Please refer to the Government of Canada website for more information.

Make an effort to step-aside, or pass others quickly and courteously on sidewalks. Passing someone on the sidewalk is not considered close contact or a significant risk for exposure to COVID-19.

16. Which businesses are allowed to open? 

As of June 12, 2020 the Government of Ontario has enabled certain regions (including Ottawa) to enter Phase 2 of the Framework for Re-opening our Province. It is important to remember that those businesses and services that are permitted to reopen must do so with proper health and safety measures in place. For more information on which businesses are allowed to open during this phase, please visit the Government of Ontario website. 

During COVID-19, Ottawa’s Green Bin program is accepting plastic bags as a bagging option for organic waste. Used paper facial tissues should be placed in plastic bags and can go in the green bin as per regular waste disposal practices.

Residents should continue to practice proper hygiene when handling any waste by thoroughly cleaning their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or using hand sanitizer if soap and water are unavailable. Clean any surfaces that may have come in contact with waste products with a household disinfectant. You can use 20 mL of bleach with 1 litre of water (or 4 tsp of bleach with 4 cups of water) as an easy disinfectant.

City staff and contractors continue to use the precautions that are already in place to protect workers from the hazards of handling municipal waste. In addition, the City is taking steps to ensure a steady supply of personal protective equipment for front-line staff. Ottawa Public Health manages the disposal of hazardous waste and has protocols in place to ensure its safe handling. 

18. Who can returning travellers call if they need mental health supports in Ottawa?

19. What can I do about religious celebrations and invitations? 

Ottawa Public Health continues to advise that limiting activities to members of your own household remains important to limit the spread of COVID-19 and save lives. Physical distancing of at least two (2) metres from non-household members should be maintained.

We MUST all practice physical distancing and keep 2 metres or 6 feet away from others when we are out. This is very important so we can stop the spread of COVID-19.  

During times of the year when celebrations are happening: 

• limit gatherings with others in person to celebrate 
• use technology to connect with others 
• spend more time with your own family who live with you 
• create new traditions at home, cook your favourite food together, decorate together, play games together for example.  

Being apart from family and friends can be very difficult for all of us. It's normal for situations like COVID-19 to affect your mental health. Everyone experiences these events in their own way. It is completely normal to feel stress and concern during these times and so it is important to practice positive coping strategies. 

Below is a listing of Mental Health Resources available to you. 

If you are in crisis, please contact the Mental Health Crisis Line (24 hours a day/7 day a week) at 613-722-6914 or if outside Ottawa toll-free at 1-866-996-0991. 

If you (or your child) are experiencing thoughts of suicide or harming yourself, please call 9-1-1. 

For more support and help, visit our mental health webpage. 

20. What precautions should I take when handling my groceries to limit the possible transmission of germs/viruses?

COVID-19 is a type of coronavirus. Although there are still things we are learning about COVID-19, we do know that other coronaviruses do not survive very long on surfaces like cereal boxes or canned foods. Coronaviruses are usually spread through respiratory droplets (for example when someone coughs or sneezes). There is currently no evidence that people have become infected with COVID-19 through items bought at a grocery store. Still, it might be possible that the item you handled or bought was recently touched by someone who had COVID-19 on their unwashed hands. The best way to protect yourself is by washing your hands often with soap and water, including after handling your groceries. Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available. Washing fruits and vegetables thoroughly under running tap water is recommended as per normal when preparing foods. Always wash your hands with soap and water before washing fruits and veggies and between handling different kinds of foods. Visit Ottawa Public Health’s Keeping foods safe (clean, cook, chill, separate) for more information.

21. Alcohol and COVID 19: Know the Facts

According to a new Nanos poll commissioned by the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA), Canadians under 54 are drinking more while at home due to COVID 19. The main reasons for the increase among those who report drinking more are a lack of regular schedule (51%), boredom (49%) and stress (44%).

General myths about alcohol and COVID 19

Myth: Drinking alcohol kills the virus that causes COVID 19.

Fact: Drinking alcohol will not disinfect your mouth and throat and will not protect you from COVID 19 or prevent you from being infected by it.

Myth: Alcohol (beer, wine, distilled spirits or herbal alcohol) makes the immune system stronger and makes you more resistant to COVID 19.

Fact: Alcohol can in fact weaken your immune system and make you more susceptible to COVID 19 and other illnesses.

Myth: Drinking alcohol helps you to cope with stress.

Fact: Alcohol is known to increase the symptoms of panic and anxiety disorders, depression and other mental disorders, and the risk of family and domestic violence.

Remember drinking alcohol will not protect you from COVID 19. For more information visit the PAHO/WHO website. 

If you choose to drink, drink responsibly and follow Canada's Low Risk Alcohol Drinking Guidelines to reduce short and long-term risks. 

For more information on alcohol and local resources visit the OPH web site.

22. Should I be wearing gloves in public?

• Wearing gloves for everyday activities in public is not recommended.
• Wearing gloves can make you feel more protected from the virus than you are. Wearing gloves increase the risk of getting COVID-19 if you touch other things with your gloves and then touch your face. 

1. Wash your hands properly with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer before you put on gloves.
2. When you are wearing gloves, do not touch your face or use any personal items (e.g. cell phone, bag) that you might touch again when you do not have gloves on.
3. Throw the gloves out in a closed garbage bin right away and wash your hands with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
   • Remember:
     • Do not touch your face with your gloves.
     • Do not touch your mask with your gloves (if you are wearing one).
     • Do not touch your personal items (like your phone) with your gloves so you don’t bring the virus home with you!
     • Do not re-use gloves that are made for one use.

24. Is there a vaccine being developed for COVID-19?

Yes. Currently, there is no vaccine available for the prevention of COVID-19. Health Canada is closely tracking all potential treatments and vaccines in development in Canada and abroad.

25. Pool/Hot Tub Sharing

• Pools/hot tubs that are properly operated, maintained, and disinfected should remove or inactivate the virus that causes COVID-19
• Risk of transmission of COVID-19 still exists if you are in close proximity with members outside of your household. Learn more on the Province of Ontario's Framework for Reopening our Province: Stage 2  
  
• Commonly touched surfaces and items such as chairs, outdoor tables, play equipment, inflatable water toys, and pool/hot tub cleaning equipment may become contaminated when used by others

 Resource: COVID-19 and Water

Even after a person has recovered from infection with COVID-19, they can still test positive for the virus. In these cases, the test is detecting viral remnants that are no longer living and unable to cause infection. Continuing to test positive after recovery from COVID-19 infection is actually quite common with some studies showing that half of people who have had COVID-19 will still test positive at 2 to 4 weeks after their initial test. Some people have continued to receive positive tests for 2 months after recovery, and some people have received a negative test only to be followed by another positive test. For these reasons, Ottawa Public Health and the Province of Ontario do not recommend the routine use of a negative test to show recovery from COVID-19. Instead, if the person has not had a fever for 72 hours and symptoms are improving, then 14 days after symptoms started the person is considered recovered and no longer contagious to others.  For the same reasons, repeat testing for COVID-19 is not recommended in the 3 months following initial COVID-19 infection in people without symptoms (e.g. as part of surveillance testing).

27. After testing positive for COVID-19, do I need a negative test to be able to resume regular activities, such as work and going out in public?

While maintaining physical distancing, you can now:

• eat in at restaurants
• use playgrounds
• play non-contact team sports
• gather in groups (up to 50 people indoors and up to 100 people outdoors)
• go to a movie  

These activities are considered to be higher risk for the spread of COVID-19.  

29. What precautions should I take with an indoor wedding or reception?

Here are some precautions to take:

• Masks must be worn by patrons except when eating or drinking.  
• If necessary, masks can be removed for such thing as:
  • making a speech
  • saying vows
  • performing a first dance (if on a stage that is not accessed by the public)
  • walking down the aisle while physical distancing is maintained.  
• Masks may also be taken off for pictures as long as the pictures are not being taken in an indoor public space. Physical distancing needs to be kept between any individuals who are not part of the same social circle. 
• OPH recommends against singing and loud speeches in indoor settings.  If you choose to sing or have loud speeches, you need to make sure you are meeting provincial regulations. In this situation, OPH also recommends taking an additional precaution. The extra measure is to increase the distance between officiant or speaker and audience to 5 metres. You also need to follow the provincial minimum distances and other requirements such as shielding between officiants, singers, or any performers. 
• Other measures to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission during officiation/speeches include:
  • masking 
  • using a microphone to avoid projecting the voice 
  • limiting contamination of objects (e.g. microphone, podium) 
  • frequent environmental cleaning
  • improving ventilation  
• If the bride and groom wish to ‘perform’ a first dance, they should do so at least 2 metres from attendants. Group dancing at a reception is not permitted. 

It is important to remember that these activities are considered to be higher risk for the spread of COVID-19.  

If you are planning on going out to a movie or play*, here are some things you need to know:

• You need to wear a mask at all times in the cinema or theatre space (e.g.in their seats, hallways, washrooms, concession stands) except when eating and drinking  
• Individuals from the same social circle can sit next to each other in a theatre  
• Physical distancing remains imperative. A minimum of 2 metres should be maintained between seats that hold individuals from different social circles  
• Singing and shouting while seated should be avoided by audience members 

* This is specific to entertainment where there is no singing. 

31. How can I reduce the risks of COVID-19 transmission in indoor spaces? 

COVID-19 is primarily transmitted through direct contact to the respiratory droplets of an infected person.While ventilation of indoor environments with fresh air is important, the basis of reducing the risk of transmission while indoors continues to be following COVIDWise principles:

W – Wear a mask or face covering where required, or when you cannot maintain a physical distance of two metres (six feet).

I – Isolate yourself when you have any symptoms and get tested.  Learn about testing: OttawaPublicHealth.ca/COVIDcentre

S – Stay two metres (six feet) apart from those outside your household.

E – Exercise proper hand hygiene; wash your hands regularly or use sanitizer especially before touching your face.

Poor ventilation in indoor spaces is linked with increased transmission of respiratory infections, particularly if the space is small. Transmission of COVID-19 has been associated with closed spaces, including by people who are pre-symptomatic. It is therefore important that, along with COVIDWise measures, proper ventilation – preferably with fresh air (e.g., by opening windows and doors) – is practiced, whenever possible.

There is no evidence that COVID-19 can be transmitted to people in other rooms using the same HVAC system. In fact, a well-maintained HVAC system may help reduce transmission of COVID-19 by bringing fresh outdoor air to indoor spaces while at the same time, removing the inside air that people have exhaled.

Within a single room, however, air conditioners and fans may increase the distance in which a virus can be transmitted. To help prevent the flow of air from infected areas into other areas and reduce the concentration of virus particles in these areas:

• Minimize the use of air conditioners and fans (e.g., by using the lowest setting)
• Direct airflow away from surfaces and people
• Increase natural ventilation by opening a window if weather permits.

Note that air conditioners and fans also require regular maintenance, such as:

• Surface cleaning, including the blades
• Removal of any moisture or water that has collected in portable air conditioners
• Filter changes
• Other maintenance activities found in manufacturers’ instructions.

That being said, COVIDWise behavior remains the best way to reduce the risk of transmitting the virus indoors.

For further reference on HVAC systems, the following web-based resources are available:

• National Collaborating Centre on Environmental Health’s (NCCEH) resource on COVID-19 Precautions for Multi-unit Residential Buildings 
• Public Health Ontario’s response to a scientific/technical request on COVID-19: Fans and Air Conditioning Units
• Public Health Ontario’s at a glance on The Use of Portable Fans and Portable Air Conditioning Units during COVID-19 in Long-term Care and Retirement Homes 
• Worksafe British-Columbia’s advice on COVID-19 frequently asked questions: General ventilation and air circulation
• European Centre for Disease Control (ECDC) guidance on Heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems in the context of COVID-19
• United States Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) webpage on COVID-19 Employer Information for Office Building (see section on Engineering Controls) 

33. How are other congregate care setting being supported?

Ottawa Public Health (OPH) is supporting other congregate care settings such as shelters, rooming homes, group homes, correctional institutions, and isolation and physical distancing centres.

Staff and residents at congregate care settings are being provided with information to prevent new cases. Guidance includes personal protective equipment use and access, screening, enhanced Infection Prevention and Control measures, and physical distancing. To support physical distancing in congregate care settings, OPH and community partners have worked together to relocate residents out of shelters and into other accommodations.

Within congregate care settings, health care workers are provided with guidance and support to quickly identify and isolate individuals with symptoms of COVID-19. Screening and mobile testing is being made available in congregate care in order to reduce barriers (i.e. Ottawa Inner-City Health’s Mobile Assessment Van). Collaborative responses are also in place to assist with the self-isolation of residents/families who have tested positive for the virus at designated isolation centres, when possible.

OPH staff declare and monitor outbreaks in congregate care settings. OPH works with congregate care operators to review control measures, conduct site visits and monitor for new cases for the duration of the outbreak.

OPH is working with community partners to identify and address the unmet needs of people living in rooming houses in Ottawa during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Partners of this initiative include OPH, Ottawa Inner City Health, Community and Social Services Department, Somerset West Community Health Centre, and Centertown Community Health Centre.

In addition, the Champlain COVID-19 Response Committee (CCRC) has created the Champlain Health Region Congregate Care & Living Operations Task Force
which includes representation from Ottawa Community Paramedics and OPH. These partners are actively supporting congregate settings with surveillance testing for COVID-19 in order to reduce transmission.

Background

All Long-Term Care Homes (LTCH) in Ontario are part of the provincial health care system, and are licensed, regulated, and inspected by the Ministry of Long-Term Care. The majority of LTCHs in Ottawa are operated privately, some are non-profit, and a small portion (4) are City-run, not-for-profit facilities.

Managing Infectious Disease Outbreaks in LTCHs

During any infectious disease outbreak in a LTCH, it is important to institute measures to prevent and control the spread of the infection in the facility, while balancing the daily life of the residents in the LTCH. Usually, when an outbreak is declared in a particular unit or floor, Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) measures are implemented in that area to prevent the spread to other areas of the building

• Investigates people who test positive for COVID-19 virus and their contacts.
• Conducting initial and ongoing on-site visit, as required.
• Providing recommendations for testing of residents and staff according to the current Ministry of Health guidelines (all residents and staff on floors with a COVID-19 outbreak are to be tested, whether or not they have symptoms).
• Provides COVID-19 test swabs, and linking facilities to sources of provincial Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) supplies, if needed.
• Conducting on-going surveillance for the duration of the outbreak.
• Supporting the LTCH/RH throughout the outbreak to ensure all infection prevention and control requirements have been implemented to control the outbreak.

Outbreak management activities also include providing guidance on institutional policies, supporting the implementation of physical distancing/isolation measures and ensuring protocols are in place for enhanced cleaning and disinfecting, particularly of high touch surfaces within the institution.

LTCHs are part of the provincial health care system and the Ministry of Long-Term Care is responsible to regulating, licensing, and inspecting all LTCHs. The Long-Term Care Home Quality Inspection Program (LQIP) safeguards residents’ well-being by investigating complaints and critical incidents, and by ensuring that all LTCHs are inspected at least once per year. Inspection reports for homes are available here.

During COVID-19, the Ministry of Health provides directives to LTCHs with respect to managing cases and outbreaks and is the lead for providing PPE.