COVID-19 SCREENING DETAILS
WHAT IS COVID-19?
COVID-19 is an infection, caused by a virus called coronavirus. unlike bacterial infections such as strep throat, THERE ARE NO ANTIBIOTICS TO TREAT IT. TREATMENT CONSISTS OF WHAT WE CALL “SUPPORTIVE TREATMENT”; THAT IS, WE CAN GIVE MEDICATIONS TO HELP WITH SYMPTOMS ONLY. FOR EXAMPLE, IF YOU HAVE A FEVER, YOU CAN TAKE TYLENOL OR ADVIL, IF YOU HAVE A COUGH, YOU CAN USE A COUGH SYRUP TO HELP RELIEVE IT.
FORTUNATELY, THE VAST MAJORITY OF PEOPLE WILL HAVE A MILD COLD OR FLU-LIKE ILLNESS, HOWEVER SOME PEOPLE ARE MORE AT RISK OF SEVERE DISEASE AND COMPLICATIONS:
- ELDERLY
- DIABETICS
- patients with Heart Disease
- patients with Lung Disease
- cancer patients
- any underlying illness that weakens your immune system
WHO SHOULD GET A COVID TEST?
1) Anyone with ANY of the following symptoms (even just one):
- Fever
- Cough
- Runny nose
- Stuffy nose
- Sore throat
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Unexplained headaches
- Unexplained fatigue
- Loss of sensation of smell/taste
- Pink eye/eye infection.
2) Anyone who has been in close contact with a positive case of covid-19
WHO SHOULD ISOLATE?
1) 1. Anyone who has traveled outside of Canada
2) Anyone who has had close contact with anyone who has traveled outside of Canada should isolate for 14 days *from the last date of contact with that person
3) Anyone that has had close contact with a positive case of COVID-19.
WHAT TO DO NEXT?
If you’re having difficulty breathing: VISIT AN EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT OR CALL 9-11 IMMEDIATELY. If possible, keep yourself isolated (learn how) and advise the facility or staff in advance of the circumstances to ensure your care providers take appropriate precautions.
If you’re breathing fine: please don’t schedule an appointment or walk-in normally. The BEST action you can take is to SELF-ISOLATE YOURSELF IF POSSIBLE IN THE MEANTIME (learn how), contact your local COVID ASSESSMENT CENTRE in Brampton that would be Peel Memorial COVID ASSESSMENT CENTRE.location: 20 Lynch Street, Brampton, ON – Hours: 7 days a week, 10am-8pm Or, contact your local public health unit
You can find your local public health unit by calling Service Ontario at 1-866-532-3161 or visiting the Ministry of Health’s public health unit locator tool at www.phdapps.health.gov.on.ca/PHUlocator
You can also access up to date information on 2019-nCoV on the Ontario Ministry of Health’s website:
https://www.ontario.ca/page/2019-novel- coronavirus-2019-ncov
WHAT ARE WE DOING TO PROTECT OUR PATIENTS, OUR COMMUNITY, AND OUR STAFF?
To protect the health of our patients, our staff, physicians, and our community, we have implemented virtual care. Call first to book a walk in visit or family practice appointment. You can also book a walk in visit at our dusk location online from our home page. Our doctors will call you first to discuss your concerns. If they feel you should come in for an exam, after screening you, you will be asked to attend the clinic.
It is a quickly evolving situation, but we are working to stay up-to-date.
