Public Health Sudbury & Districts

Coronavirus disease, COVID-19

Symptoms, self-assessment, and self-isolation

If you have symptoms of COVID-19 (Government of Ontario), assume that you may have the virus. Please complete the Government of Ontario COVID-19 self-assessment for a recommendation on what to do next which may include staying home and self-isolating.

If you have tested positive for COVID-19, using either a PCR or a rapid antigen test, self-isolate and visit the Ontario Ministry of Health website for next steps.

Parents, children, and staff should answer the questions in the COVID-19 school and child care screening tool (Government of Ontario) daily before going to school or child care. You will get a recommendation on what to do next.

If you were exposed to the virus, or are a household contact, follow additional precautions (Government of Ontario) to protect yourself and others.

COVID-19 vaccine information and booking

Visit our vaccination clinics for COVID-19 for information on local clinic dates, times, and locations, as well as important information on vaccines and eligibility.

COVID-19 data and current status

Visit our current status (COVID-19) page for information on vaccine, testing, and COVID-19 case data including hospitalization rates, and for information on outbreaks. The COVID-19 Risk Index & Respiratory Activity Report is currently set to “inactive”. You can download our weekly detailed COVID-19 epidemiology summary and detailed COVID-19 vaccination reports on Wednesdays.

Reports and infographics (COVID-19)

Public Health Sudbury & Districts has prepared reports and infographics which highlight our role as it relates to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Be COVID-safe

To be COVID-safe means to assess your actions, think things through, and take deliberate precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Learn how our behaviour can help reduce the risk of catching and spreading COVID-19

What’s on this page

How COVID-19 spreads

Coronaviruses are spread mainly from person to person through close contact, for example, in a household, workplace, or health care centre.

Watch this video from the World Health Organization to learn more.

Symptoms of COVID-19

Symptoms can range from mild to severe. Complications from COVID-19 can include serious conditions, like pneumonia or kidney failure, and in some cases, death.

For a complete list of COVID-19 symptoms, visit the Ministry of Health website.

The COVID-19 self-assessment tool

Take the COVID-19 self-assessment (Government of Ontario) if you have symptoms of COVID-19 to learn what to do next.

Testing for COVID-19

Currently, there are two types of tests—rapid antigen test (RAT) and a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test—that can detect the COVID-19 virus in your body at the time of testing. A positive result may not be detected If you have been exposed and are in the early days of incubating the virus. It is strongly recommended to maintain personal protective measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and to reduce the risk of serious illness from infection.

Rapid antigen tests

Free rapid antigen test kits are available at Public Health Sudbury & Districts’ locations. These kits are available to individuals at high risk of severe outcomes from COVID-19, including persons who may be eligible for COVID-19 treatment. You may be at higher risk if you are any of the following:

60 years of age or older
18 years of age or older and are immunocompromised
18 to 59 years old and at a higher risk of severe COVID-19 including having:
- one or more underlying medical conditions (such as diabetes, heart or lung disease), or
- inadequate immunity against COVID-19 from:
  - not receiving a full primary series of the COVID-19 vaccine
  - having received a full primary series but no COVID-19 vaccine or COVID-19 infection within the past 6 months

The kits are free of charge and may be picked up in the reception area during the office hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Some offices are closed for the lunch hour (noted below). Office locations include:

1300 Paris Street, Sudbury
10 Elm Street, Unit 130, Sudbury
34 Birch Street (entrance on Lorne Street), Chapleau (closed from noon to 1 p.m.)
800 Centre Street, Unit 100 C, Espanola (closed from noon to 1 p.m.)
6163 Highway 542, Mindemoya (closed from noon to 1 p.m.)
1 King Street, St. Charles (closed from noon to 1 p.m.)

A rapid antigen test will provide a result within 15 minutes following the use of the test. Learn what to do if you get a positive result or what do if you have symptoms, but get a negative result (Ontario Government).

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing is prioritized based on clinical and public health needs. PCR testing is available for high-risk individuals, and individuals who work in high-risk settings. Learn who is eligible for PCR testing (Government of Ontario) and where to get tested for COVID-19 in Sudbury and districts.

COVID-19 assessment centres

Important: These centres are for eligible individuals who qualify for PCR testing.

Appointments are required. Walk-ins will not be seen.
DO NOT present yourself at an emergency department or health care provider’s office for testing.
Drive-through or mobile testing options may be provided.

Check with your nearest assessment centre for more information and follow these instructions:

Please visit assessment centre online information to book an appointment (see links below):

How can you find out your test results?

You will be able to access your COVID-19 PCR test results through a secure online portal (Ministry of Health).

COVID-19 vaccination and treatment

COVID-19 vaccination

The COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective. It is strongly recommended you stay up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccinations, including all recommended booster doses (if eligible), to protect yourself, your loved ones, and our communities from COVID-19. Learn more on COVID-19 vaccines and vaccination opportunity and check out our frequently asked questions.

COVID-19 treatment

Antiviral treatments are now available in Ontario, by prescription, to people with COVID-19 who are at higher risk (Government of Ontario) of developing severe symptoms.

Visit ontario.ca to learn more about COVID-19 antiviral treatments (Government of Ontario), who is eligible, and how to get treatment.

A health care provider may determine if an antiviral treatment is right for you, even if you do not belong to one of the groups who are eligible, based on your individual circumstances. Use the COVID-19 antiviral treatment screener tool (Government of Ontario) to determine if you are at higher risk of severe COVID-19 and may benefit from these treatments.

Antiviral treatment is not a replacement for vaccination.

Personal preparedness

Make a plan

Create a plan based on your needs and daily routines, including having other options for child, elder, and pet care. Consider the following when creating your plan: know how long you will need to self-isolate if you are ill.
Build on your emergency preparedness plan(Government of Canada).
Talk to your neighbours, friends, or family about a buddy system in which you agree to check in on each other and run essential errands if you become sick or need to self-isolate.
Make plans for your children or other dependents in case you get sick.
Identify agencies that may be able to offer help, whether for food, mental health support, or other supplies.
Create an emergency contact list, for example, information of health care provider, friends, family, and community services.
Ensure you have enough prescriptions and over-the-counter medication.

Do you have questions about COVID-19?

We continue to be here for you. For general or personal health-related questions about COVID-19, use our COVID-19 information request form to submit your information and Public Health staff will call you.

Or you may call:

Public Health Sudbury & Districts COVID-19 Information Line at 705.522.9200 (toll-free 1.866.522.9200), Monday to Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Health811 can be reached by calling 811 (TTY 1.866.797.0007) or visiting ontario.ca/Health811. Be sure to mention your symptoms and your travel history, including the countries you visited.

The following are additional credible sources of information.

This item was last modified on July 10, 2023

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