COVID-19 Facts and FAQs

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that cause illness in humans ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases.

A novel coronavirus is a new strain that has not been previously identified in humans. In some cases, illness caused by novel coronavirus can be mild. In more severe cases, the novel coronavirus can cause pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, severe influenza-like illness, kidney failure and even death. 

The causative agent for COVID-19 disease is SARS-CoV-2 virus. For the purpose of clear communication, the term COVID-19 can refer to both the virus and the disease.

On December 31, 2019, a cluster of cases of pneumonia was reported in Wuhan City, China. Recent information has confirmed a novel (or new) coronavirus (COVID-19) as the likely cause.

Any person who has at least one symptom, even if the symptom(s) are mild, can be tested for COVID-19. When assessing for the symptoms below the focus should be on evaluating if they are new, worsening, or different from an individual’s baseline health status (usual state).

This means that local area residents should only seek testing if they:

• Are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms;
• Have been exposed to a confirmed case of the virus, as informed by the Health Department or the COVID Alert app;
• Are a resident or staff member of a setting that has a COVID-19 outbreak, as identified by the Health Department; and
• Are eligible for testing as part of a targeted testing initiative directed by the Ministry of Health or the Ministry of Long-Term Care.
  • This currently includes workers and residents of high-risk settings such as long-term care homes, visitors of long-term care homes, workers and residents of homeless shelters and other congregate settings”

Symptoms list:

• Fever (temperature of 37.8°C or greater)
• New or worsening cough
• Shortness of breath
• Sore throat
• Difficulty swallowing
• Changes to sense of taste or smell
• Nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain
• Runny nose, or nasal congestion (not caused by seasonal allergies)

If you develop any of the symptoms above, self-isolate and seek clinical assessment by:

1. Completing the Lakeridge Health online assessment form at covidswab.lh.ca to get an appointment at the COVID-19 Assessment Clinic.
2. Contacting Durham Health Connection Line 905-668-2020 or 1-800-841-2729.

Note: The COVID-19 Assessment Clinic does not accept walk-ins.

Accessing your test results

If you have a green photo health card:

COVID-19 test results can be accessed online through the Ontario government COVID-19 test results website. It may take up to five days for results to be posted on the website.

If you do not have a health card, and/or have a red and white health card, and/or do not have internet access:

Please call the COVID Assessment Results Line or contact your primary care provider at least five days after you have been tested. When contacting the COVID Assessment Results Line at 905-721-4842 follow the automated instructions to leave a voice mail.

Please provide the following in your voice mail:

• Full name
• Health card number
• Date of test
• Phone number

If you test positive for COVID-1 you will be contacted by Durham Region Health Department, typically within 48 hours. The Health Department will provide you with information about the requirements to self-isolate and to identify potential contacts.

• Close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands.
• Contact with nose and throat secretions (e.g., coughing and sneezing).
• Touching an object or surface with the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes before washing your hands.

It is currently not known how long COVID-19 can survive outside of the body on a surface. 

Physical distancing is one of the most effective strategies to reduce the spread of illness, such as COVID-19, during an outbreak.

• Maintaining at least 2 metres from others as much as possible.
• Avoiding common greetings, such as handshakes and hugs.
• Staying home whenever possible, including working from home.
• Using virtual options to connect with friends and family.
• Limiting contact with people at high risk such as older adults or people with health issues.
• Using online shopping. Only go to stores for essential items such as groceries or pharmacy items when stores are less busy.

Learn more about physical distancing.

The Ontario Ministry of Health is advising all residents to practise  physical distancing to reduce their exposure to other people. It is recommended to avoid contact with people outside of your immediate family.

All Durham residents need to be aware of their underlying medical conditions and seek medical attention if there are changes from their regular baseline level.

To reduce the spread of germs, including COVID-19 and the flu we recommend that you:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water or hand sanitizer when hands are not visibly dirty.
• Cough or sneeze into your sleeve or elbow and encourage others to do the same.
• Wash your hands after handling nose and throat secretions (e.g. after throwing out used facial tissues).
• Avoid touching your face and clean hands before touching eyes, nose or mouth.
• Practice physical distancing by limiting close contacts with people outside of your household and maintain 2 metres from other people if you need to go out.
• Wear a non-medical mask if you cannot practice physical distancing.
• Clean and disinfect surfaces, especially those that are high-touch areas.
• Do not share water bottles, straws, eating utensils, cigarettes, toothbrushes, toys or anything else that has been in contact with saliva, nose or throat secretions.
• If you are ill, stay at home and keep yourself away from others.
• Avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing.
• If you are ill and must visit a health care provider, call ahead or tell them right away when you arrive that you have symptoms of COVID-19 and wear a mask while waiting to be seen.

See additional Health Department resources regarding proper handwashing, stopping the spread of germs and practising physical distancing.

Yes. Safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines are available to protect you and your family from COVID-19. Individuals are eligible to receive the vaccine based on Ontario’s three-phased vaccine distribution plan. This plan ensures those most vulnerable are protected first and is based on the advice of medical experts and ethicists. Currently, the Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine and the Moderna vaccine are the only vaccines approved for use in Canada.

The Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is approved for use in individuals 16 years of age and older and the Moderna vaccine is approved for use in individuals 18 years of age and older. Both vaccines require two doses and are highly effective one week after the second dose is administered. There are no serious safety concerns, although some mild adverse events are common.

To learn more about who should get the vaccine and who should not, see Facts about…COVID-19 vaccines.

Both approved vaccines are mRNA vaccines. mRNA vaccines do not contain whole or live viruses and therefore cannot cause a COVID-19 infection. mRNA vaccines do not affect or interact with DNA and mRNA is destroyed by cells once the body has finished using its instructions.

Self-isolation is a strategy used to prevent COVID-19 from spreading to others. Individuals self-isolating must stay home, and limit time spent with others. While self-isolating individuals should not go to work, school, use public transportation, or go to other public areas (e.g. malls, restaurants).

The following individuals are being advised to self-isolate and monitor for signs and symptoms of COVID-19.

• People who have been diagnosed with COVID-19.
• People who are awaiting COVID-19 test results (See instructions for individuals tested for COVID-19).
• People who have been in close contact with a person with COVID-19.
• People who have recently travelled outside of Canada.
• People who are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19.

Durham Region Health Department works closely with individuals who have been diagnosed with COVID-19. This is done to help identify potential risk for other community members who may have had contact with the person diagnosed with COVID-19 while they were ill. This includes identifying and assessing the risk of exposure for individuals (e.g. health care providers who provided care for the individuals while they were ill) and community settings (e.g. clinic waiting rooms, public transit etc.).

The Health Department is working collaboratively with local hospitals and health care providers to streamline processes for assessment and testing for COVID-19.

For health care settings, there is specific guidance from Ontario’s Ministry of Health

This guidance can be accessed on our Health Care Professionals page.

Durham Region’s emergency management experts have some  advice on how businesses can prepare their staff and operations for possible business disruptions from COVID-19.