Updated on June 12, 2020

What is COVID-19?

COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) is a new illness that causes lung infections. COVID-19 is part of a large family of viruses that include both the common cold and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)5.

The virus was first discovered in late 20195 and has since spread to countries all over the world. The World Health Organization calls the world-wide spread of an illness a “pandemic”. The world is now working together to stop the illness from spreading further.

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

The most common symptoms are5:

Fever of 38°C (100.4°F) or higher

Feeling tired

Dry cough

Other symptoms include5:

Body aches and pains

Headache

Stuffy nose

Runny nose

Sore throat

Diarrhea

Trouble breathing

Chills (feeling cold and shivering) ⁷

Loss of taste or smell ⁷



Most people who catch COVID-19 have mild symptoms. They can safely recover at home without any medical help. For every 6 people who catch COVID-19, 1 will have trouble breathing5.

People who have a higher chance of getting serious symptoms are5:

People who are over the age of 65

People who are overweight

People who have weaker immune systems

People who have long-term health problems

Examples of long-term health problems are diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, lung disease, kidney disease, liver disease and cancer.

Call your surgery team and your family doctor if you have these symptoms: Fever of 38°C (100.4°F) or higher

Dry cough

Trouble breathing This could be a sign of COVID-19 or other serious health problem5. Your local healthcare teams can help you manage this. If you think it is not safe to wait, visit your local emergency room or call 911. If you call 911, tell them that you may have COVID-19.

How does someone catch COVID-19?

The most common way to catch COVID-19 is from someone else who has it.

There are a few ways that this can happen5:

Breathing in when a sick person coughs or sneezes around you

Breathing in when a sick person exhales around you

Touching anything that has the virus on it, then touching your face

Touch a sick person, then touching your face

How do I protect myself and my family from COVID-19?

There are a few things you can do to protect yourself and your loved ones:

Wash your hands with soap throughout the day 5 . This will help kill any virus on your hands. Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds each time. Remember to wash between your fingers, under your nails and around your wrists. Dry your hands with a clean cloth or paper towel. If you cannot wash your hands, use hand sanitizer. Choose one with at least 60% alcohol 2 . Click here to watch a video about handwashing.

Do not touch your face with your hands 5 . The virus can enter your body through your eyes, nose and mouth. If you touch something with the virus, then touch your face, you may get sick.

Disinfect surfaces that are touched every day 2 . Some examples are toilets, doorknobs, desks, chair handles, light switches, counter tops, phones, faucets and sinks. Click here to see a list of approved products. Click here to learn how to make your own disinfectant.

Cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze 5 . Use a tissue or the inside of your elbow. Throw out the used tissue into a closed garbage bin right away. Then, wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer.

Stay at least 2 meters (6 feet) away from anyone who coughs or sneezes 2 . This helps prevent you from breathing in tiny drops of liquid from the sick person.

Practice social distancing 6 . Less person to person contact makes it harder for the virus to spread to another person. This means staying at home and away from areas with groups of people. Make work from home arrangements, if possible. Enjoy social activities such as worship and music events online, instead of in-person. Click here to learn more about social distancing.

When social distancing is not possible, wear a non-medical mask or homemade face covering⁸. Research has not shown this protects the person wearing it. But, it may help prevent you from breathing tiny drops of liquid on other people. You can wear a non-medical mask even if you are not feeling sick. Do not wear medical face masks meant for healthcare workers. Click here to learn more about non-medical masks and face coverings.

How can I prepare my family?

Make a household plan1. Make sure you have enough normal daily items for 2 weeks4. This includes medicines, food, drink and other household items. Know your local food delivery options.

Make plans for childcare, pet care, and working from home. This will help in case you start feeling sick. Call your older family members, friends and neighbours to make sure they have enough supplies.

Click here to learn more about household planning.

What should I do if I think I have COVID-19?

If you have mild symptoms such as a runny nose, tiredness or sore throat, stay at home and practice self-isolation until you recover. Self-isolation means staying away from all people. This will help protect everyone around you.

To help protect other people you should:

Wear a face mask when you are around other people 3

Stay in a separate room from other people at home 3

Use a different bathroom at home if possible 3

Put the toilet lid down before flushing 4

Stay at least 2 meters (6 feet) away from other people 3

Do not use public transportation, taxis or ride shares 3

Do not share personal items like cups, plates, towels, or toothbrushes 3

Most people can recover safely at home without any medical help. Staying at home will prevent your healthcare teams from getting overwhelmed. Help them make sure they have enough resources to care for the sickest people in your neighbourhood.

Click here to learn more about taking care of yourself and when to stop social isolation.

Call your surgery team and your family doctor if you have these symptoms: Fever of 38°C (100.4°F) or higher

Dry cough

Trouble breathing This could be a sign of COVID-19 or other serious health problem5. Your local healthcare teams can help you manage this. If you think it is not safe to wait, visit your local emergency room or call 911. If you call 911, tell them that you may have COVID-19.

Call 911 or go to your local emergency room if you have these symptoms: Severe trouble breathing (hard to take a breath or speak in single words)

Severe chest pain

Sudden onset of confusion (not knowing what is going on around you)

Fainting These symptoms need medical attention right away⁶. Your local healthcare teams can help you manage this.

Will my surgery care plan change?

Your surgery team cares deeply about your health. This includes making sure you are a safe distance away from people who may be sick with COVID-19 at the hospital. In the next few months, there will likely be changes to the dates and times of your surgery appointments. Instead of in-person visits, your healthcare team will try to meet you online using video meeting tools. Check your email and phone messages daily so you do not miss any hospital messages. Together, you will come up with a plan to keep you safe and healthy.



Where can I learn more about COVID-19?

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak

World Health Organization

Learn how the world is working together to control this illness

Learn how to protect yourself

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): When and how to use masks

World Health Organization

Learn how to wear a non-medical fabric mask safely

Learn how to use a fabric mask

Learn how to care for a fabric mask



Myth Busters

World Health Organization

Learn the truth about common COVID-19 myths

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19)

Government of Canada

Learn how Canada is working to control this illness

Learn how to protect yourself

Learn what to do if you feel sick

Learn how to prepare your home

Learn how to manage anxiety and stress

Learn more about non-medical masks

Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan

Government of Canada

Learn about financial support for your family and business



Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Learn how to protect yourself

Learn what to do if you feel sick

Learn how to prepare your home

Learn how to manage anxiety and stress



Disinfectants for Use Against SARS-CoV-2

United States Environmental Protection Agency

An up-to-date list of products that kill COVID-19



Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)—Fighting Products

American Chemistry Council

An easy-to-read list of products that kill COVID-19



Managing Stress and Anxiety

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Tips on how to manage stress for adults and children

Tips on how to manage stress for first responders

Tips on how to manage stress for people after quarantine

Updates:

June 12, 2020. Added a new resource on when and how to wear masks.

May 20, 2020. Updated non-medical mask recommendations.

April 29, 2020. Updated with EMMI COVID-19 patient education video.

April 27, 2020. Updated symptoms of Coronavirus.

April 15, 2020. Added a new section on when to call 911.

March 23, 2020. Added a new section summarizing expected work flow changes in-hospital.

References: