COVID-19

Home/Health and Wellness/Infection and Disease/COVID-19

Region of Waterloo Public Health works closely with local hospitals, health care partners, the Ministry of Health, Public Health Ontario and community partners to respond to COVID-19.

Following public health measures and advice and staying up-to-date on vaccinations can help protect yourself and others from the effects of respiratory viruses like COVID-19.

For recommendations on what to do if you’ve been exposed, have symptoms or for screening take the COVID-19 Self-Assessment Tool for yourself or on behalf of someone else.

For more information on COVID-19, visit the Ministry of Health and the Public Health Agency of Canada.

COVID-19 vaccine

COVID-19 resources for health professionals

Protect yourself and others

Everyone has a role to play to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and respiratory viruses (such as the flu). The actions you take will protect you, loved ones and those most vulnerable in our community.

The higher risk you are facing, the more important it is to consistently use as many of these layers of protection as you can.

Consider wearing a tight-fitting, well-constructed mask in indoor public settings, especially for anyone at higher risk of severe infection and when in health-care settings with mask policies.
Practice good hand hygiene by washing hands and using hand sanitizer.
Stay up to date on your COVID-19 vaccines and flu shots, when eligible.
Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze.
Stay home when you feel sick. If you do feel sick:
- Do not visit people who are at higher risk of complications from respiratory illnesses, such as those in hospitals, retirement or long-term care homes, seniors or those who are immunocompromised.
- Seek medical attention if you experience severe or worsening symptoms.

For more information, review the How to protect yourself and others from COVID-19 fact sheet and the Ministry of Health’s public health measures and advice.

NOTE: Rapid Antigen Tests are no longer available from Public Health.

COVID-19 tests are now only available to individuals in Ontario who are also eligible for COVID-19 treatment. They can be accessed through health care providers and pharmacies. Visit the Ministry of Health's page for details on eligibility.

If you have COVID-19 symptoms, use the self-assessment tool to help determine if you are eligible for testing or should seek care.

Most people with mild COVID-19 symptoms will recover on their own at home without a need for prescription medications.

Antiviral treatments are available through consultation with a physician, nurse practitioner or participating pharmacies for people with symptoms who are at higher risk of severe COVID-19. Most treatments must be taken within the first 5 days of your symptoms starting.

For more information about the different types of COVID-19 tests and treatments available and how to access them, visit the Ontario Ministry of Health’s COVID-19 testing and treatment webpage.

Schools and child care centres

A variety of resources for staff and administrators to support COVID-19 prevention and control in schools are available on Public Health Ontario’s COVID-19: Schools and Related Settings webpage.

Licensed Child Care setting operators should notify Public Health when their setting is experiencing increased illnesses above what the setting would typically experience by calling the Service First Call Centre at 519-575-4400 or by submitting the Absent Staff and Children Reporting Form for Child Care Centres.

Current provincial guidelines do not require schools and child care settings to report positive cases to Public Health.

For questions or concerns about the implementation of the provincial guidelines within a school or child care setting, please first speak with the school administrator or child care setting operator

Workplaces

Positive cases and contacts are advised to notify their workplaces and other settings if they test positive or become symptomatic. They are advised to follow the direction given by their employer for any specific COVID-19 policies in place.

Businesses or organizations may continue to establish additional policies or requirements above the minimum standards of the regulations for patrons or employees.

Tools and guidance for Ontario workplaces is available on the Ministry of Health’s COVID-19 and workplace health and safety webpage to help develop a plan to protect workers, customers, and the public from COVID-19.

Employers of international agricultural workers

The Provincial government has outlined requirements for employers of international agricultural workers to reduce the risks to workers and help employers maintain a healthy workforce.

Employers of international agricultural workers are responsible for thoroughly reviewing the Recommendations for Outbreak Prevention and Control in Institutions and Congregate Living Settings and monitoring for updates. Due to the wide-ranging nature of institutions, not all information under each section will apply to every setting. Settings should ensure they follow sector-specific requirements and guidance.

If the international agricultural worker consents, operators are encouraged to notify Public Health of any symptomatic workers by calling the Service First Call Centre at 519-575-4400 or by submitting the International Agrifood Workers Outbreak Form.

COVID-19

Protect yourself and others

Testing and treatment

Schools and child care centres

Workplaces

Employers of international agricultural workers

Resources