COVID-19 Case and Contact Information Hub
Please select one of the options below to get COVID-19 isolation and testing information that is relevant to you.
I received a positive COVID-19 test result. What should I do now?
Individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 on a PCR, rapid molecular, or rapid antigen test should self-isolate immediately.
The recommended length of self-isolation is calculated from the date of specimen collection or symptom onset (whichever is earlier). The length of self-isolation also depends on age, vaccination status, severity of infection, and immune status. In all scenarios, symptoms need to be improving for 24 hours (or 48 hours if gastrointestinal symptoms) and there must be no fever present prior to ending self-isolation.
Isolation period | Population |
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5 days after the date of specimen collection or symptom onset (whichever is earlier/applicable) |
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10 days after the date of specimen collection or symptom onset (whichever is earlier/applicable) |
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20 days after the date of specimen collection or symptom onset (whichever is earlier/applicable) |
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Additional precautions after self-isolation
If self-isolation is complete after 5 days, additional precautions are needed due to residual risk of ongoing infectiousness.
For a total of 10 days (or 20 days for immunocompromised individuals) after symptom onset (or date of specimen collection, whichever is earlier/applicable), individuals must:
- Continue to wear a well-fitted mask in all public settings (including schools and child care, unless under 2-years of age).
- Individuals should maintain masking 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).
- Participation in activities where masking can be maintained throughout may be resumed, but individuals 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 (e.g., seniors).
- Not visit or attend work in any highest risk settings.
*Highest risk settings include:
- Hospitals (including complex continuing care facilities and paramedic services).
- Home and community care workers.
- Congregate living settings with medically and socially vulnerable individuals including but not limited to, long-term care, retirement homes, First Nation elder care lodges, group homes, shelters, hospices, correctional institutions, Provincial Demonstration Schools and hospital schools.
What should I tell my household members? |
COVID-19 positive cases/individuals with COVID-19 symptoms should isolate away from household members where possible to avoid ongoing exposure. Household members of the COVID-19 positive case/individual with COVID-19 symptoms, should generally self-isolate while the individual with COVID-19 symptoms is isolating, with the following exceptions:
For self-isolating household members that have not developed symptoms, if any other household member develops COVID-19 symptoms, they should extend their self-isolation until the last symptomatic (or COVID-19 positive) person has finished their self-isolation period. The initial COVID-19 positive case/individual with symptoms of COVID-19 does not have to extend their self-isolation period based on other household members becoming ill. |
What is a close contact? |
Close contacts include those who had contact with the ill/COVID-19 positive individual within the 48 hours prior to their symptom onset if symptomatic or 48 hours prior to the specimen collection date (if asymptomatic/applicable) and until they started self-isolating; AND Were in close proximity (less than 2 meters) for at least 15 minutes or for multiple short periods of time without appropriate measures as masking, distancing and/or use of personal protective equipment (as per Management of Cases and Contacts of COVID-19 in Ontario). If the symptomatic/COVID-19 positive individual attends group settings (e.g., child care, school, in-person work), generally, contacts in those settings (e.g., the classroom cohort) would not be considered close contacts due to the layering of health and safety measures in place in these settings. However, specific individuals in those settings may be identified by the case as close contacts based on the nature of their interactions with the case (e.g. breach in measures, interactions outside of the setting). |
What should I tell my close contacts? |
For a total of 10 days after the last exposure to the COVID-19 case, close contacts must:
All close contacts should visit Ontario.ca/exposed for information about self-isolation and self-monitoring requirements. |
What should I do if my rapid antigen test (RAT) is positive? |
A positive RAT means you likely have COVID-19. You and your household members are required to self-isolate the same as someone with symptoms.
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What if I tested positive for COVID-19 and I work in a "highest risk setting"? |
If you tested positive and you work in a highest risk setting you should not attend work for 10 days from symptom onset (or from specimen collection date if asymptomatic). Your local public health unit or the provincial case and contact management staff may follow-up with you for contact management in your workplace. For the length of time of your isolation period, see “My COVID-19 test result is positive” above. Notify your workplace that you tested positive as they may have additional instructions for you. |
What if I tested positive for COVID-19 and I live in a "highest risk setting"? |
If you tested positive and you live in a highest risk setting you should isolate for at least 10 days from symptom onset (or from specimen collection date if asymptomatic). You should also follow any instructions provided to you by the setting operator. |
I am sick with COVID-19 symptoms. Now what?
If you have the symptoms listed below, it is highly likely that you have a COVID-19 infection. If you are not eligible for PCR/Rapid molecular testing you are presumed to have COVID-19 infection and are advised to self-isolate as soon as possible after symptom onset. For more information on testing eligibility visit our COVID-19 Testing page.
See isolation period for test-positive cases and individuals with COVID-19 symptoms.
What are the symptoms of COVID-19? |
The symptoms* of COVID-19 include:
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What if my symptoms do not match the list of COVID-19 symptoms? |
If you do not have the symptoms of COVID-19, or you only have one of the following symptoms; runny nose/nasal congestion, headache, extreme fatigue, sore throat, muscle aches/joint pain, gastrointestinal symptoms (e.g. vomiting or diarrhea), it is less likely that you have COVID-19 infection. You should monitor for other symptoms and stay home until your symptoms are improving for at least 24 hours (or 48 hours if gastrointestinal symptoms) to limit the spread of other illnesses that you may have (e.g. cold, influenza, other viral respiratory or gastrointestinal illness). Your household members and other contacts do not need to self-isolate as long as they have no symptoms. If you develop additional symptoms that now match the COVID-19 symptoms list you and your household should follow the guidance for individuals “sick with COVID-19 symptoms”. |
Do my household members need to isolate? |
Should I get tested if I am symptomatic? |
Most individuals do not need a COVID-19 test. If you are eligible for testing, get a PCR, rapid molecular test or rapid antigen test (if you have access). If testing is not available, you must fulfill the self-isolation period for symptomatic individuals. For more information about testing visit our testing page. |
Is there treatment for COVID-19? |
Several types of treatment have been developed for COVID-19. Some of these medications reduce or stop the virus from multiplying in human cells. Other medications treat the symptoms of COVID-19. Medication can be prescribed by a health care provider after an assessment to determine that an individual meets the criteria for the specific treatment. To book a physician assessment visit COVID19swab.lh.ca. |
What should I do if my symptoms worsen? |
If your symptoms worsen, seek advice from Telehealth at 1-866-797-0000 or TTY:1-866-797-0007 or your health care provider. |
What should I tell my close contacts? |
If you have symptoms of COVID-19, you should inform your close contacts of their potential exposure.
All close contacts should visit Ontario.ca/exposed for information about self-isolation and self-monitoring requirements. |
What should I do if my rapid antigen test (RAT) is negative? |
If two consecutive RATs, separated by 24-48 hours, are both negative, you are less likely to have COVID-19 infection. You should self-isolate until you have no fever and symptoms are improving for at least 24 hours (or 48 hours if gastrointestinal symptoms). Your household members do not need to self-isolate if they are symptom free. |
What should I do if my rapid antigen test (RAT) is positive? |
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I am a contact of a COVID-19 case
All close contacts should visit Ontario.ca/exposed for information about self-isolation and self-monitoring requirements.
COVID-19 in the workplace
This guidance does not apply to employees in the highest risk settings.
What if an employee has notified me that they have symptoms or tested positive for COVID-19? |
If an employee has phoned in sick with symptoms or tested positive for COVID-19 advise the employee that they are to self-isolate immediately and not return to work until their self-isolation is complete and their symptoms are improving as outlined in the corresponding sections “My COVID-19 test result is positive. What should I do now?” or “I am sick with COVID-19 symptoms. Now what? Advise the employee to inform their close contacts including the employee’s co-workers, that they should visit Ontario.ca/exposed for information about self-isolation and self-monitoring requirements. Advise the employee’s co-workers who may be close contacts that they are to monitor for symptoms for 10 days if they are fully vaccinated and do not live with the person. At the first sign of new symptoms, they are to begin self-isolation and notify the workplace. An employee who has been identified as a close contact of a person that has tested positive for COVID-19 is not required to isolate if they are:
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Workplace health and safety resources |
Schools and child care centres
In light of the Omicron (B1.1.529) variant of concern and how quickly it is spreading, the COVID-19 case, contact and outbreak management approach is being updated across all sectors, as directed by the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health (OCMOH) to balance individual risk and societal disruption – while maintaining safety within schools and communities.
Given recent changes to case and contact management by the Ministry of Health and the OCMOH, the ministry will suspend reporting of COVID-19 cases in schools. Additional information on the management of symptomatic students/staff, cases and contacts can be found in the COVID-19: Health, safety and operational guidance for schools (2021-2022).
What happens if there is a positive case in my child’s school, classroom or child care centre? |
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How will COVID-19 be monitored in my child’s school/child care centre? |
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If my child is sick, when can they return to school/child care? |
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For additional information related to schools, visit our Schools Reopening Toolkit.
Multilingual COVID-19 resources | ||||||||
If you would like to see COVID-19 resources in another language, please visit Public Health Ontario’s Multilingual COVID-19 Resources page. | ||||||||
Other COVID-19 questions | ||||||||
If you could not find the information you were looking for on this page related to COVID-19 case and contact information, please see our Facts and FAQs page. If you still cannot find an answer to your question, you can contact us. |
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