COVID-19 Symptoms, Positive Test Results or Close Contact

Focus on symptoms that are new, worsening or different from an individual’s baseline health status (usual state). If you are feeling unwell or have any of the symptoms listed below, you are required to self-isolate.

If you have one or more of these most common symptoms of COVID-19, get COVID-19 testing and treatment if eligible:

• fever and/or chills
• cough
• shortness of breath
• decrease or loss of taste or smell

If you have two or more of the following symptoms of COVID-19 get COVID-19 testing and treatment if eligible. Note: the presence of even one symptom requires you to self-isolate:

• extreme fatigue, lethargy or malaise (feeling unwell, lack of energy, extreme tiredness)
• muscle aches and joint pain (unexplained, unusual or long-lasting)
• nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea (gastrointestinal symptoms)
• sore throat
• runny nose or stuffy nose
• headache (new and persistent, unusual, unexplained, or long-lasting)

Other symptoms that may be associated with COVID-19 and should be monitored, include:

• Abdominal pain (persistent and ongoing)
• Conjunctivitis (pink eye)
• Decreased/lack of appetite (in young children)

Monitoring symptoms

• Otherwise healthy adults and children can self-isolate at home and monitor for symptoms.
• Some people who are at higher risk of more serious illness will benefit from closer monitoring from their doctor or primary care clinic.
• Guide for patients with COVID-19 symptoms English | Other languages

Who should go to the Emergency Department?

People who are experiencing at least one of the symptoms of COVID-19 and have any of these signs of severe illness:

• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• Weakness
• Lethargy or drowsiness
• Dizziness

If you are not well enough to take personal transportation, call 911.

These infants and children should also be assessed in the emergency department:

• Infants under 3 months of age with fever or trouble breathing or appear unwell
• Children and infants over 3 months of age with any of these symptoms:
  • Fever longer than 7 days
  • Fast breathing or trouble breathing
  • Bluish skin colour
  • Not drinking enough fluids
  • Not waking up or not interacting
  • Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
  • Fever with a rash
  • Constant vomiting
  • Immune compromised with a fever

Communication from Public Health and Province

People who test positive on PCR or rapid molecular tests may be contacted by public health or the provincial case and contact management team. You may receive either a text message, a call, or both in some cases. If you receive a text message from Hamilton Public Health Services or the Ontario Ministry of Health, please do not delete it. It is not a scam.

• The text message may include:
  • A secure link to complete a personal assessment form. The form is voluntary and will take about 10 minutes to complete. All information collected through the tool is kept confidential and protected by Ontario’s health laws. It will only be used for public health purposes. After you complete the form, you may receive a call to confirm the information you submitted.
  • A text with a link to instructions on how long you and your household members need to self-isolate and what you need to do to help prevent further virus spread.
• You can opt out by texting STOP. Please do not reply to these text messages.

Isolation period for those who are sick or test positive for COVID-19

If you are sick or test positive for COVID-19, you must self-isolate immediately beginning the day your symptoms start. To find out how long you need to isolate, review this chart:

How to Isolate

After Self-Isolation

After self-isolation is complete, additional precautions are needed due to risk of infection:

• For a total of 10 days after the start of symptoms (or the date the test was taken, whichever is earlier/applicable), individuals and their close contacts must:
  • Wear a well-fitted mask in all public settings
    • Individuals should wear a mask as much as possible in public settings. Reasonable exceptions would include temporary removal for essential activities like eating (e.g., when eating in shared space at school/work while maintaining as much distancing from others as possible)
    • Individuals can participate in activities where you can wear a mask, but should avoid activities where mask removal would be necessary (e.g., dining out)
    • Individuals who are exempt from masking (e.g., children under two years of age, etc.) may return to public settings without masking
  • Not visit anyone who is immunocompromised or at higher risk of illness (i.e., seniors)
  • Not visit or attend work in any highest risk settings such as hospitals and Long-Term Care homes. If visit cannot be avoided close contact should wear a medical mask, maintain physical distancing, and notify highest risk setting of exposure
• In addition, close contacts of those who tested positive/had COVID-19 symptoms should self-monitor for symptoms and self-isolate if they develop any symptoms of COVID-19

COVID-19 is spread through close and prolonged contact with a person transmitting the COVID-19 virus. A close contact is someone who had a prolonged exposure in close proximity (within 2 metres) to a person diagnosed with COVID-19. Contact should be considered from (48 hours) before the start of the person’s symptoms or 48 hours before the positive test date.

Who is considered a close contact?

Instructions for close contacts

For 10 days after the last exposure to the person with COVID-19/ COVID-19 symptoms close contacts must:

• Self-monitor for symptoms. If symptoms develop, self-isolate and follow the instructions on this page.

• Wear a well-fitted mask in all public settings

• Individuals should wear a mask as much as possible in public settings. Reasonable exceptions would include temporary removal for essential activities like eating (e.g., when eating in shared space at school/work while maintaining as much distancing from others as possible)

• Individuals can participate in activities where you can wear a mask, but should avoid activities where mask removal would be necessary (e.g., dining out)

• Individuals who are exempt from masking (e.g., children under two years of age, etc.) may return to public settings without masking

• Not visit anyone who is immunocompromised or at higher risk of illness (i.e., seniors)

• Not visit any highest risk settings such as hospitals and Long-Term Care homes. If the visit cannot be avoided, the close contact should wear a medical mask, maintain physical distancing, and notify highest risk setting of exposure 

If you work or volunteer in a highest risk setting and have been exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID-19 or has COVID-19 symptoms

• If you’ve been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19/has COVID-19 symptoms and work/volunteer/attend in a highest risk setting, you can follow this guidance, and may continue to work, if you do not have symptoms (unless otherwise directed by public health). You should also:

  • Speak with your employer to report their exposure and follow their workplace guidance for return to work.

  • Self-monitor for symptoms for a total of 10 days after the last exposure to the COVID-19 positive case or individual with COVID-19 symptoms

  • Self-isolate immediately if you develop any symptom of COVID-19 and seek testing if eligible.

  • Individuals who are required to work in person may attend the highest risk setting right away following the guidance below:

    • Where feasible, close contacts with a household (ongoing) exposure obtain an immediate PCR or rapid molecular test, and re-testing at day 5 from initial exposure if initial test was negative.

    • Where feasible, close contacts with a discrete (one-time) high-risk exposure obtain PCR or rapid molecular testing at day 5 from initial exposure.

    • Testing of close contacts with rapid antigen testing for 10 days may be recommended (as an alternative to PCR/molecular testing and/or in addition to PCR/molecular testing) based on setting specific IPAC and/or Occupational Health direction.

    • Where testing is recommended, individuals may continue to attend the highest risk setting even if test results are pending or if testing was not obtained, unless otherwise directed by their IPAC/Occupational health lead.

    • Active screening for symptoms ahead of each shift.

    • Individuals should not remove their mask when in the presence of other staff to reduce exposure to co-workers (i.e., not eating meals/drinking in a shared space such as conference room or lunch room).

    • Working in only one facility, where possible.

    • Ensuring well-fitting source control masking for the staff to reduce the risk of transmission (e.g., a well-fitting medical mask or fit or non-fit tested N95 respirator or KN95).

If you live in a Long-term Care Home or Retirement Home and you have been exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID-19 or has COVID-19 symptoms, you should:

• If you are a roommate of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 you should self-isolate and be placed on additional precautions. Individuals who remain asymptomatic may discontinue isolation after a minimum of 5 days of isolation following a negative molecular COVID-19 test taken on or after Day 5 (from onset of isolation period).

• All other non-roommate residents should be encouraged to wear a well-fitting mask and maintain distance from others for 10 days after last exposure. Monitor for symptoms twice a day.

If you live in a Congregate Living Setting, such as a group home or shelter, and you have been exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID-19 or has COVID-19 symptoms, you should:

• Wear a mask and maintain distance from others for 10 days after last exposure while in the highest risk setting. Self-monitor for symptoms.

While outside of the highest risk setting you can follow the above community guidance “Instructions for close contacts”.

Tell others

Tell your employer that you have had a high-risk exposure to someone with COVID-19. Speak with their employer to report your exposure and follow their workplace guidance for return to work.

Self-Monitor for symptoms

Even if not required to self-isolate, all close contacts should self-monitor for symptoms of COVID-19.

Get tested for COVID-19

Find out if you are eligible for publicly-funded COVID-19 testing

If you have a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) at home, you can use it and follow the instructions.

If you do not have symptoms you should self-monitor for symptoms and self-isolate if any symptoms develop.

Where can I get more information?

Call the Provincial COVID-19 Testing, Isolation, & Information Contact Line 1-888-777-0730. Hours of Operation: Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm EST

Please note: As of June 1, 2023, the Provincial COVID-19 Testing, Isolation, & Information Contact Line will stop operations. Community members looking to speak to a live agent about COVID-19 will be able to call Health811 (Dial 811)

Mild illness - self-care at home

Otherwise healthy adults and children who are not at higher risk can self-isolate, and will not need to seek medical care.

• If you have symptoms, read how to care for yourself and what to watch for English | Other languages
• Taking care of a child with COVID-19 symptoms
• Guidance on what you should do if you have symptoms

Moderate to severe illness and/or symptoms getting worse

If you have COVID-19 symptoms, you have several options for care:

Have a family doctor

• If you are at higher-risk (see below)* and have symptoms and/or you have tested positive on a rapid antigen test (RAT) or PCR test, you should contact your family doctor regarding care.
• Contact your doctor if you are unsure what care you required.
• Higher-risk individuals (see below)* who have symptoms should get tested within one to two days of symptom onset either using a rapid antigen test (RAT) or a PCR test. Book a COVID-19 PCR test
• Higher-risk individuals who test positive may be eligible for COVID-19 treatment
• Screen yourself for COVID-19 antiviral treatment
• Your doctor may prescribe antiviral treatment that can be picked up at a local pharmacy.
• Read more about antiviral treatment
• See above for how to manage self-care at home
• Information from doctors on when to seek care

Individuals at high-risk of severe outcomes of COVID-19 are:

• 60 years of age and older
• 18 years of age and are immunocompromised
• 18 – 59 years old with:
  • One or more underlying medical conditions (such as diabetes, heart or lung disease), or
  • 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 (6) months
• For more information, please see Ontario’s COVID-19 Testing and Treatment guidance

No access to a family doctor
If you have are higher risk and have symptoms but do not have access to a family doctor, screen yourself for COVID-19 antiviral treatment. If you think you may be eligible for treatment, and do not have a doctor, book a PCR test or take a rapid antigen test (RAT) at home to determine if you have COVID-19.

If you do not have a family doctor and have moderate illness or worsening symptoms, you may be able to access virtual care online.

Severe illness - seek emergency care

• If you think you are having a medical emergency, call 9-1-1 right away.
• Learn more about your healthcare options in Hamilton

Antiviral treatment is currently available for individuals at high risk of severe COVID-19+, as determined by a clinician.

• Individuals who are at high risk of severe outcomes of COVID-19 if they become infected should speak with their health care provider (doctor) to learn about treatment options and develop a treatment plan. Having this information when well, will help individuals know how they can access testing and treatment if they develop symptoms of COVID-19.
• You can be referred by a health care provider to an in-person COVID Care Clinic to be assessed to receive treatment or you can pick up antiviral treatment at a participating pharmacy  with a prescription.
• Individuals at high-risk of severe outcomes of COVID-19 are:
  • 60 years of age and older
  • 18 years of age and are immunocompromised
  • 18 – 59 years old with:
    • One or more underlying medical conditions (such as diabetes, heart or lung disease), or
    • 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 (6) months
  • For more information see Ontario’s COVID-19 Testing and Treatment guidance