The Sudbury Health Unit provides guidance on how to self-isolate if you suspect you have been exposed to COVID-19
The Sudbury Health Unit has updated its website with rules on what you should do if you suspect you have been exposed to COVID-19.
Individuals suspected of having been exposed to the virus, likely through a rapidly spreading variant of Omicron, are advised to begin self-isolation in accordance with Public Health Sudbury and District (PHSD) instructions.
Solitude means being alone at home. This means no friends or family to come over for coffee or watch TV with you. This means having the grocery store deliver your essentials to your door, or at least curbside. Most restaurants in Sudbury offer takeout services that serve meals. Pizza and burgers are fun, but even those restaurants now offer other meal options.
The health unit website contains instructions for isolation.
“This includes staying in your home (in a private room if you share with roommates or family members) or in an isolation facility. Do not go out, unless you go to a private balcony or enclosed patio where you can avoid close encounters with others. You should not You have no visitors in your home except as permitted by the PHSD,” the health unit’s website said.
Public Health no longer tests individuals unless they are in a high-risk category (transplant recipients, cancer patients or immunocompromised). The new situation is that if you develop symptoms, you should assume that you are infected.
Symptoms of the virus include things like sore throat, fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, and loss of taste and smell.
PHSD said isolation should continue for at least five days from the time symptoms appear, for those aged 12 and over who have been fully vaccinated, or until symptoms and fever are gone; whichever is longer.
Doctors Without Borders said those who have not been fully vaccinated should extend the isolation period to 10 days.
Persons under the age of 12, regardless of vaccination status, must have a five-day isolation period.
Also, people with weakened immunity, regardless of age or vaccination status, should also be isolated for 10 days.
The health unit also advises that if your symptoms make you feel worse, call your doctor or seek medical help.
The province has pushed Ontario into Step 2 status, which means most businesses and public places are severely restricted in terms of how they open, and in terms of having fewer people in their stores, offices and other places. In other cases where entry is allowed, the rules have been changed in most cases to require you to prove vaccination and proof of identity in person.
PHSD also urges all unvaccinated residents to consider getting vaccinated. The health unit said it has call center staff available to answer questions about vaccination and COVID-19, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., 705.522.9200 (toll-free number 1.866.522.9200). PHSD said it will return all calls, but sometimes, call volumes are high, appreciate your patience. Visit phsd.ca/COVID-19/vaccine-clinics to learn more about local immunization clinics or appointment-based immunization clinics.