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The Sudbury Health Unit has updated its website on the rules of what you should be doing if you suspect you have been exposed to COVID-19.
Individuals who suspect they might have been exposed to the virus, likely through the rapidly spreading Omicron variant, are advised to begin a self-isolation procedure according to instructions from Public Health Sudbury and Districts (PHSD).
Isolation means being alone at home. It means not having friends or family members coming over for coffee or to watch TV with you. It means having the grocery store deliver your essentials to your front door, or at least curbside. Most restaurants in Sudbury have take-out services that deliver meals. Pizza and burgers are fun, but even those restaurants now offer other meal choices.
The health unit website has instructions for isolation.
"This includes remaining in your home (in a private room if sharing with roommates or family members) or an isolation facility. Do not go outside, unless on to a private balcony or enclosed yard where you can avoid close encounters with others. You must not have any visitors into your home except as permitted by PHSD," said the health unit website.
Public health is no longer testing individuals unless they are in a high-risk category (transplant recipients, cancer patients or immune compromosed). The new attitude is that if you are showing symptoms, you should assume you are infected.
Symptoms of the virus include such things as sore throat, fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, loss of taste and smell.
PHSD said Isolation should continue for at least five days from when symptoms began, for those aged 12 and older who are fully vaccinated, or until symptoms and fever disappear; whichever is longest.
Those who are not fully vaccinated should extend the isolation period to 10 days, said PHSD.
People younger than 12, regardless of vaccination status, should have a five day isolation period.
Also, people who are immune compromised, regardless of age or vaccination status, should also be isolated for 10 days.
The health unit is also advising that if your symptoms make you feel worse, to contact your doctor or seek medical help.
The province has pushed Ontario back to Step-2 status, meaning that most businesses and public venues are severely restricted in terms of how they can open, and in terms of having fewer people in their stores, offices and other venues. In other cases where entry is permitted, the rules have been changed in most cases to require you to have proof of vaccination and a photo identification.
PHSD is also urging all non-vaccinated residents to consider getting the shot. The health unit said it has call-centre staff who are available to answer questions about vaccination and COVID-19, Monday to Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., 705.522.9200 (toll-free 1.866.522.9200). PHSD said it will return all calls, but at times, call volumes are high, your patience is appreciated. Visit phsd.ca/COVID-19/vaccine-clinics to learn more about local walk-in or appointment-based vaccination clinics.
