COVID-19 Case and Contact Information Hub

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:

• Household members who are 18 years of age and older and have already received their booster dose are not required to self-isolate.
• Household members who are under 18 years of age and are considered fully vaccinated are not required to self-isolate.
• Household members who have previously tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 90 days (based on positive rapid antigen test or molecular test results), are not required to self-isolate and can attend high-risk settings, as long as they are currently asymptomatic.

If self-isolation is complete after 5 days, or if self-isolation is not required, for a total of 10 days after the last exposure to the COVID-19 case, ALL household members must:

• Self-monitor for symptoms and self-isolate if they develop any symptom of COVID-19.
• 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 removal for essential activities like eating (e.g., when eating in shared space at school/work and maintaining as much distancing 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 (unless they have previously tested positive for COVID-19 on a rapid antigen test or molecular test in the past 90 days).

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.

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?

Individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 (on a rapid antigen test, PCR test or rapid molecular test) and individuals with COVID-19 symptoms are advised to inform their close contacts of their potential exposure to COVID-19.

For a total of 10 days after the last exposure to the COVID-19 case, close contacts must:

• Self-monitor for symptoms and self-isolate if they develop any symptom of COVID-19.
• 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 removal for essential activities like eating (e.g., when eating in shared space at school/work and maintaining as much distancing 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 (unless they have previously tested positive for COVID-19 on a RAT or molecular test in the past 90 days).

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.

• Your positive RAT does not need to be confirmed by PCR/rapid molecular test.
• Positive RAT tests do not need to be reported to the public health unit.
• Notify your workplace of your positive RAT as they may have additional instructions for you.

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.

See highest-risk settings.

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.

See highest-risk settings.

The symptoms* of COVID-19 include:

• Fever and/or chills; OR
• Cough; OR
• Shortness of breath; OR
• Decrease or loss of taste or smell; OR
• Two or more of:
  • Runny nose/nasal congestion
  • Headache
  • Extreme fatigue
  • Sore throat
  • Muscle aches/joint pain
  • Gastrointestinal symptoms (e.g. vomiting or diarrhea)

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”.

See "What should I tell my household members?"

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.

• This includes those who had contact with you within the 48 hours prior to your symptom onset and until you 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 such as masking, distancing and/or use of personal protective equipment.

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?

See this information in the section above. 

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:

• fully vaccinated, and
• not a household member of the COVID-19 positive individual, and
• not showing any signs and symptoms of COVID-19

• Get information to help develop a plan to protect workers, customers, and the public from COVID-19
• COVID-19 Guidance and Advice for Businesses and Organizations
• www.Ontario.ca/exposed

• Given the widespread transmission of the Omicron variant and changes to the provincial testing approach, schools and child care operators will no longer be routinely notifying families of positive cases or if an individual is absent due to symptoms associated with COVID-19.
• Public health units will not be dismissing cohorts for public health reasons. Any dismissals or closures of a school or child care centre will be based on operational requirements determined by the school board, school and/or child care operator.
• Individuals only exposed at school with all public health measures in place are not generally considered high-risk contacts.

• To support ongoing monitoring and transparency related to COVID-19 impacts on schools, schools will be monitoring absenteeism rates. If the absenteeism rate in a school rises to a defined level (e.g., 30 per cent above their baseline) school principals will notify their local public health unit.
• When a school or child care setting’s absenteeism rate increases sharply (e.g., 30 per cent above their baseline), the school board/school/ child care provider will send a notification to families and staff in the affected school/child care setting, signed by the local Medical Officer of Health with information on public health measures for students and families to follow.

• If your child has symptoms of COVID-19, refer to the section I am sick with COVID-19 symptoms. Now what?
• Your child can return to school/child care when the required isolation period is complete and symptoms have been improving for at least 24 hours (48 hours if symptoms are gastrointestinal)

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.