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Protection from COVID-19 in Algoma
Effective March 11th, 2024, the NSHN COVID-19 Assessment Centre in Thessalon and Blind River are no longer accepting patients and will be closing permanently.
This webpage provides you with guidance to protect yourself and others.
APH has taken measures to be able to live with and manage COVID-19 for the long-term and is no longer following up with every case or contact in the general public.
APH continues to conduct surveillance and provide outbreak management support to highest risk settings in Algoma to protect those most vulnerable in our communities. See our Local COVID-19 Data to learn more about COVID-19 surveillance in Algoma.
Highest risk settings include hospitals, congregate living settings (e.g. long-term care homes, retirement homes, elder care lodges, group homes, shelters, hospices, correctional institutions, and hospital schools), and employee-provided living settings of International Agricultural Workers. If you live or work in a highest risk setting, you may receive follow-up by your employer, health and safety committee, or infection prevention and control team.
If you have questions related to COVID‑19 testing and isolation guidelines, please call the Provincial Testing and Isolation Information line at 1-888-777-0730.
To connect with the our General COVID-19 Phone Line, please call is 705-541-7370 or toll free at 1-888-440-3730.
Frequently Asked Questions
Testing for COVID-19
There are two publicly-funded types of COVID‑19 test available in Ontario.
Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs)
You can use a rapid antigen testing to determine whether you might have COVID-19. Free rapid antigen test kits are available at all Algoma Public Health locations. 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. While supplies last. RATs may also be available at your local pharmacy.
Learn more about at Rapid Antigen Testing in Ontario.
PCR or Rapid Molecular Tests
Check to see if you are eligible for PCR or rapid molecular testing in Ontario. You can access PCR testing by booking an appointment at clinical assessment centres, participating community labs and participating pharmacies.
Find a location near you. To access your COVID-19 test results, see Ontario Health’s Access to COVID-19 Test Result page.
It is important to do your Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) properly to get the most accurate result. Learn more about rapid antigen testing in Ontario.
You can also watch this video to help walk though through the steps for doing a RAT correctly.
Protection
Individuals who are close contacts of a person who has COVID-19 no longer are required to quarantine regardless of vaccinations status.
It is advised that closed contacts wear a mask for 10 days from their last exposure and avoid non-essential visits to vulnerable individuals and high-risk settings. If symptoms do arise you should immediately isolate.
YES. While a previous COVID-19 infection can provide some protection, staying up to date with your vaccinations is still recommended to provide longer-lasting and stronger protection. You
Individuals 6 months and older are recommended to book an appointment for a COVID-19 vaccine. You are eligible if it has been at least 6 months since your last dose or confirmed COVID-19 infection, whichever is later.
To learn more about when you should get your next dose after having COVID-19, visit our COVID-19 Vaccine webpage.
Masks
We advise all to wear a tight-fitting, mask in crowded indoor public spaces, especially those at higher risk of severe infection.
A mask acts as a barrier. It reduces the chance of spreading respiratory droplets to others and prevents droplets from landing on surfaces when you cough or sneeze. Wearing non-medical masks protects others from your respiratory droplets, however, is not an appropriate medical device to protect you from the droplets of others.
If your workplace requires you to wear a mask, you can review Ontario's recommendations on how to use a mask appropriately.
Hospitals, healthcare settings, long-term care homes, retirement homes, businesses and organizations may implement their own rules and policies related to making within their settings, which should be respected and followed.
Eye Protection
Eye protection is a type of personal protective equipment that protects the eyes of the person wearing it from contact with splashes, sprays and splatter of bodily fluids from other people.
In health-care settings, face shields and other eye protection are worn with a face mask so that the eyes, nose and mouth of the wearer are protected from the fluids of other people. Eye protection should not be used as a substitute for a face mask.
Symptoms
Symptoms of COVID-19 and its variants range from mild — like the flu and other common respiratory infections — to severe. If you feel sick, it’s important that you stay home and talk with a primary care provider or doctor if necessary.
If you have the symptoms of COVID-19 listed below, assume that you may have the virus and may be contagious.
- Any one or more of:
- fever or chills
- cough
- shortness of breath
- decreased or loss of taste or smell
- Any two or more of:
- runny nose or nasal congestion
- headache
- extreme fatigue
- sore throat
- muscle aches or joint pain
- gastrointestinal symptoms (such as vomiting or diarrhea)
If you have concerns about your symptoms, contact your doctor, health care provider or Telehealth Ontario (1-866-797-0000) for more information and guidance.
If you develop severe symptoms requiring medical attention, such as shortness of breath or chest pain, call 9-1-1 or visit your nearest emergency department in Algoma.
If you have symptoms of COVID-19 you should stay home and self-isolate until all of the following apply:
- your symptoms have been improving for at least 24 hours (or 48 hours if you had nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea)
- you do not have a fever
- you have not developed additional symptoms
You should then continue to take the following additional precautions for up to 10 days after your symptoms started:
- wear a well-fitted mask in all public settings
- avoid non-essential activities where you need to take off your mask (for example, dining out)
- avoid non-essential visits to anyone who is immunocompromised or may be at higher risk of illness (for example, seniors)
- avoid non-essential visits to highest risk settings in the community such as hospitals and long-term care homes
If you are immunocompromised and test positive for COVID-19, you should isolate and stay home for 10 days. You also may benefit from available therapies to prevent severe illness.
If you test negative for COVID-19, you can stop isolating at home once your symptoms are improving for at least 24 hours (or 48 hours if you had nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea) and you do not have a fever.
You should then continue to take the following additional precautions for up to 10 days after your symptoms started:
- wear a well-fitted mask in all public settings
- avoid non-essential activities where you need to take off your mask (for example, dining out)
- avoid non-essential visits to anyone who is immunocompromised or may be at higher risk of illness (for example, seniors)
- avoid non-essential visits to highest risk settings in the community such as hospitals and long-term care homes
Travel
Depending on where you are travelling to, you may be required to present a molecular or antigen test result.
Travel requirements are generally Federal, overseen by the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), and enforced by the Canadian Border Service Agency (CBSA). Local public health does not have records of requirements for travel to all destinations.
You will need to identify what is required pre-departure, based on the mode of travel (land, air, etc.) and where you are going.
To know if and what type of test you will need, you can connect with:
- Your travel agent
- The airline you are flying with, or the airport you are flying out of or into
- The country or location you are visiting
To learn more about the most current COVID-19 travel, testing, and border guidance see the Government of Canada’s webpage.
Treatment
You can use Ontario's COVID-19 antiviral screener to see if you are eligible for antiviral treatment. Antiviral treatments for COVID-19 can help prevent serious illness if taken quickly after symptoms start (within the first few days).
You can use this screener even if you do not have symptoms, to be prepared in case you get sick. Learn more about COVID-19 testing and treatment in Ontario.
If you have symptoms (even if mild) and are at higher risk of severe COVID‑19, seek testing and care immediately by either:
- contacting your local pharmacy
- contacting a primary care provider (for example, your family doctor or nurse practitioner)
You can use Ontario's COVID-19 antiviral screener to see if you are eligible for antivirals. Learn more about COVID-19 testing and treatment in Ontario.
Workplace
If you do not work within a high-risk setting, you are able to return to work after COVID-19 if your symptoms have been improving for at least 24 hours (48 if you had nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea), you do not have a fever, and you have not developed additional symptoms.
If you work in a high-risk setting (such as a hospital, long-term care home, or a retirement home), you should speak with your employer and follow your workplace’s guidance for return to work.
You can check Ontario's Protection from COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses for more information on how to protect yourself, your family and your community from COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses.
Workplaces can choose to implement their own policies for masking, screening, physical distancing, vaccination, etc. When developing policies, it is encouraged to seek input from employees across all levels of the business or organization. To be effective, it is important to clearly communicate who the policy applies to, what is expected and how it will be enforced.
Please note that this should not be relied upon or treated as legal advice. Workplaces should consult with a qualified legal professional to address their specific circumstances.
External Resources
To learn more public health advice about COVID-19 see the following credible resources:
Indigenous self-determination, leadership and knowledge has been successful in protecting Indigenous communities in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic. Indigenous people may be interested in culturally relevant resources below:
- Canadian Red Cross Resources for indigenous Communities: Includes Resources for Indigenous youth; Resources for Indigenous Leadership
Indigenous Language COVID-19 Resources (Printable)