Testing and Isolation

B.C.’S testing strategy and how to be tested if its required, what self-isolation means and who will be asked to take this precaution.

Self-isolation

For people arriving in B.C. from outside Canada

People arriving from outside of Canada are asked to self-isolate, which means staying home and not going to work or school, and monitor for symptoms for 14 days after arrival in Canada.

People arriving from Hubei Province, Italy or Iran are asked to take extra measures to limit their contact, see information below.

• Stay at home. Do not go to work or school. • Wash your hands or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer often • Consider asking friends or relatives to help with buying groceries, other shopping or picking up medication. Alternatively, you can order groceries and medication by phone or online

• Limit the number of visitors in your home. Only have visitors who you must see and keep the visits short

• Avoid face to face contact; keep a distance of 1-2 metres (3-6 feet) from another person. • Self-isolation can end 14 days after the last contact or return to Canada

Extra measures for close contacts or people arriving from Hubei Province, Iran and Italy People who are contacts, meaning they have been or could have been exposed to the virus but do not have symptoms, as well as those arriving from Hubei Province in China, Iran and Italy are asked to take extra measures to limit their contact with others.

This includes staying home and avoiding situations where the person could infect other people. This means all situations where the person may come in contact with others, such as social gatherings, work, school, child care, athletic events, university, faith-based gatherings, healthcare facilities, grocery stores, restaurants, shopping malls, public transportation and all public gatherings.

You are also required to contact your local public health authority within 24 hours of arriving in Canada to provide your contact information. • Stay at home. Do not go to work, school, or public areas, and do not use public transport or taxis.

• Wash your hands or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer often You can ask friends or relatives if you require help with buying groceries, other shopping or picking up medication. Alternatively, you can order groceries and medication by phone or online • Limit the number of visitors in your home. Only have visitors who you must see and keep the visits short

• Avoid face to face contact; keep a distance of 1-2 metres (3-6 feet) from another person. • Self-isolation can end 14 days after the last contact or return to Canada.

Self-monitoring Self-monitoring means looking for new symptoms or signs of coronavirus infection such as fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat, etc. If you develop symptoms, contact 811 or your health care provider. If your symptoms are severe, such as shortness of breath or chest pain, call 911 or go to your nearest Emergency Department.

• Watch for the appearance of symptoms, particularly fever and respiratory symptoms such as coughing, sore throat, or shortness of breath.

• Take and record temperature daily and avoid the use of fever reducing medications (e.g., acetaminophen, ibuprofen) as much possible. • These medications could mask an early symptom of COVID-19; if these medications must be taken, client should advise their healthcare provider.

If symptoms appear

• Symptoms of COVID-19 are like other respiratory illnesses. Commonly, these are fever/chills, cough, sore throat, runny nose. Shortness of breath and chest pain can be signs of severe illness.

• Contact your healthcare provider or call 811 for guidance. If the symptoms are severe such as shortness of breath or chest pain, call 911 or go to the nearest Emergency Department

• Ensure that you self-isolate immediately and avoid contact with others. This means staying away from others as much as possible. • Wash your hands or use alcohol-based sanitizer frequently. • Practice good hygiene practices such as covering your cough and sneezing with a disposable tissue.

• Clean high-touch areas such as toilets, bedside tables and door handles with diluted bleach (one-part bleach to nine-parts water) or a household disinfectant.

How to self-isolate if you live with other people

It is better if those you live with can stay somewhere else, especially if they have a weak immune system or chronic health conditions. If you need to share a home, stay and sleep in a room with good airflow that is away from others. Use a separate bathroom if you can. Wear a face mask (surgical/procedure mask) if you are in the same room with anyone. Avoid face to face contact; friends or family can drop off food outside your room or home.

Testing

Testing is available for all who need it but not everyone requires a test. If you have no symptoms, mild symptoms or you are a returning traveller self-isolating at home, you do not require a test.

Those who have severe illness, require hospitalization, are residents of long-term care facilities or are health care workers will continue to be tested. We will also test anyone part of an active investigration or outbreak cluster. If symptoms appear, call your health care provider or 811 for guidance.

Test results

The BCCDC COVID-19 Negative Results line is staffed from 8:30AM to 4:30PM, seven days a week. People who have been tested are asked to wait 72 hours before calling the Negative Results line. Most people who have been tested are calling before the 72 hours and, as a result, the line is experiencing an extremely high call and voicemail volume. We ask for your patience and to try calling back if it has been more than 72 hours since your test.

If someone tests positive, public health will contact them. However, while you wait for your test result, you should follow the advice of your doctor or testing provider to self-isolate.