Coronavirus disease (CoViD-19) Symptoms and treatment

Those who are infected with COVID-19 may have little to no symptoms. You may not know you have symptoms of COVID-19 because they are similar to a cold or flu. Symptoms may take up to 14 days to appear after exposure to COVID-19. This is the longest known incubation period for this disease. We are currently investigating if the virus can be transmitted to others if someone is not showing symptoms. While experts believe that it is possible, it is considered less common.

Symptoms have included:

• fever

• cough

• difficulty breathing

• pneumonia in both lungs

In severe cases, infection can lead to death. Do you think you might have COVID-19? Use our self-assessment tool to find out what to do.

If you become ill

If you are showing symptoms of COVID-19, reduce your contact with others: • isolate yourself at home for 14 days to avoid spreading it to others o. if you live with others, stay in a separate room or keep a 2-metre distance

• visit a health care professional or call your local public health authority o. call ahead to tell them your symptoms and follow their instructions

If you become sick while travelling back to Canada: • inform the flight attendant or a Canadian border services officer

• advise a Canada border services agent on arrival in Canada if you believe you were exposed to someone who was sick with COVID-19, even if you do not have symptoms o. this is required under the Quarantine Act o. the Canada border services agent will provide instructions for you to follow Diagnosing coronavirus

Coronavirus infections are diagnosed by a health care provider based on symptoms and are confirmed through laboratory tests. Treating coronavirus

Most people with mild coronavirus illness will recover on their own.

If you are concerned about your symptoms, you should self-monitor and consult your health care provider. They may recommend steps you can take to relieve symptoms. Vaccine

At this time, there is no vaccine for COVID-19 or any natural health products that are authorized to treat or protect against COVID-19.

If you have received a flu vaccine, it will not protect against coronaviruses.

About coronaviruses

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses. Some cause illness in people and others cause illness in animals. Human coronaviruses are common and are typically associated with mild illnesses, similar to the common cold.

COVID-19 is a new disease that has not been previously identified in humans. Rarely, animal coronaviruses can infect people, and more rarely, these can then spread from person to person through close contact. There have been 2 other specific coronaviruses that have spread from animals to humans and which have caused severe illness in humans. These are the: 1. severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS CoV)

2. Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS CoV)

How coronavirus spreads

Human coronaviruses cause infections of the nose, throat and lungs. They are most commonly spread from an infected person through: • respiratory droplets generated when you cough or sneeze

• close, prolonged personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands

• touching something with the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose or eyes before washing your hands

Current evidence suggests person-to-person spread is efficient when there is close contact.

Preventing coronavirus

At this time, there is no vaccine for COVID-19 or any natural health products that are authorized to protect against it.

Do you think you might have COVID-19? Use our self-assessment tool to find out what to do.

If you have travelled outside of Canada Federal and provincial public health leaders have recommended that all travellers from outside of Canada self-isolate for 14 days. These efforts will contribute to slow the introduction and spread of COVID-19 in Canada.

If you have COVID-19, reduce contact with others

If you are sick, reduce contact with others by: • staying at home and self-isolating (unless directed to seek medical care) o. if you must leave your home, wear a mask or cover your mouth and nose with tissues, and maintain a 2-metre distance from others • avoiding individuals in hospitals and longterm care centres, especially older adults and those with chronic conditions or compromised immune systems

• avoiding having visitors to your home • covering your mouth and nose with your arm when coughing and sneezing

• having supplies delivered to your home instead of running errands o supplies should be dropped off outside to ensure a 2-metre distance

It is important to know how you can prepare in case you or a family member become ill. Self-monitor, self-isolate and isolate There is a difference between advice to selfmonitor, advice to self-isolate and advice to isolate. It is important to note these measures are in place to protect the health and safety of Canadians. Self-monitor Self-isolate Isolate Social distancing

Together, we can slow the spread of COVID-19 by making a conscious effort to keep a physical distance between each other. Social distancing is proven to be one of the most effective ways to reduce the spread of illness during an outbreak. With patience and cooperation, we can all do our part.

This means making changes in your everyday routines to minimize close contact with others, including: • avoiding non-essential gatherings • avoiding common greetings, such as handshakes

• avoiding crowded places such as concerts, arenas, conferences and festivals

• limiting contact with people at higher risk like older adults and those in poor health

• keeping a distance of at least 2 arms-length (approximately 2 metres) from others Hygiene Proper hygiene can help reduce the risk of infection or spreading infection to others:

• wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after using the washroom and when preparing food o use alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available

• when coughing or sneezing: o cough or sneeze into a tissue or the bend of your arm, not your hand o dispose of any tissues you have used as soon as possible in a lined waste basket and wash your hands afterwards

• avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands

• use approved disinfectants when cleaning hard high-touch surfaces

• clean the following high-touch surfaces frequently with regular household cleaners or diluted bleach (1 part bleach to 9 parts water): o toys o toilets o phones o electronics o door handles o bedside tables o television remotes Wearing masks

If you are a healthy individual, the use of a mask is not recommended for preventing the spread of COVID-19.

Wearing a mask when you are not ill may give a false sense of security. There is a potential risk of infection with improper

mask use and disposal. They also need to be changed frequently.

However, your health care provider may recommend you wear a mask if you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 while you are seeking or waiting for care. In this instance, masks are an appropriate part of infection prevention and control measures. The mask acts as a barrier and helps stop the tiny droplets from spreading you when you cough or sneeze.

Risks of getting coronavirus

Canadians are advised to avoid all non-essential travel.

There is an increased risk of more severe outcomes for Canadians: • aged 65 and over

• with compromised immune systems • with underlying medical conditions

While a COVID-19 outbreak is not unexpected in Canada, our public health system is prepared to respond. The Public Health Agency of Canada, along with provincial, territorial and community partners, continues to reassess the public health risk, based on the best available evidence as the situation evolves.

As well, the risk for COVID-19 may be increased for certain settings such as: • cruise ships

• heavily affected areas

• international conferences and other large gatherings in enclosed spaces

It is important for all travellers to:

• self-isolate for 14 days after returning from travel outside of Canada

• monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, cough or difficulty breathing) for 14 days after returning to Canada

• wash your hands often for 20 seconds and cough or sneeze into a tissue or the bend of

your arm, not your hand

If you have even mild symptoms, stay home and call the public health authority in the province or territory you are in to inform them. They will provide advice on what you should do.

We will continue to adapt our risk assessment based on the latest data available. Pregnant women

Throughout pregnancy, women experience changes in their bodies that may increase the risk of some illnesses, including viral respiratory infections, such as the flu. At this time, there is insufficient evidence to suggest that pregnant women are at a greater risk for more serious outcomes related to COVID-19.

It is always important for pregnant women to protect themselves from illnesses and take the appropriate steps to avoid and prevent infection. Proper hygiene can help reduce the risk of getting an infection or spreading infection to others.

If you are pregnant and concerned about COVID-19, speak to your health care provider.

For workplaces

Employers and employees have a role to play in reducing the spread of infection. Further information on preparing workplaces for COVID-19 (PDF) is available from the World Health Organization. General advice Hygiene Flexible work arrangements and sick leave Business travel Closure

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Date modified:

2020-03-20

If you must travel

If you must travel, take precautions against respiratory illnesses, and seek medical attention if you become sick.

During your trip: • Avoid spending time in large crowds or crowded areas.

• Avoid contact with sick people, especially if they have fever, cough, or difficulty breathing.

• Be aware of the local situation and follow local public health advice.

All travellers are reminded to follow these health precautions:

Wash your hands:

• Wash your hands often with soap under warm running water for at least 20 seconds.

• Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer only if soap and water are not available. It’s a good idea to always keep some with you when you travel.

Practise proper cough and sneeze etiquette:

• Cover your mouth and nose with your arm to reduce the spread of germs.

• If you use a tissue, dispose of it as soon as possible and wash your hands afterwards. Monitor your health:

If you become sick when you are travelling, avoid contact with others except to see a health care professional.

If you feel sick during your flight to Canada or upon arrival, inform the flight attendant or a Canadian border services officer.

If you do not have symptoms but believe you were exposed to someone who was sick with COVID-19, report this information to a Canada border services agent on arrival in Canada. This is required under the Quarantine Act. The Canada border services agent will provide instructions for you to follow.

We have put messaging on arrivals screens at international airports that will help guide travellers to inform a border services officer if they are experiencing flu-like symptoms. In addition, information on what symptoms to identify and how to contact local health authorities will be provided to arriving travellers.

Avoid all travel on cruise ships

The Government of Canada is advising that you avoid all travel on cruise ships due to the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak, until further notice.

Cruise passengers include travellers from around the world who may be arriving from areas with known or unknown spread of COVID-19. The virus can spread quickly on board cruises due to the close contact between passengers. Older people and people with a weakened immune system or underlying medical condition are at a higher risk of developing severe disease.

Recent cruise ship outbreaks of COVID-19 indicate that a large number of individuals onboard can become infected. While the majority of affected passengers may experience mild symptoms, there have been a significant number of cases requiring hospitalization and critical care, and some deaths have been reported.

As the COVID-19 situation evolves, many countries outside of Canada are implementing policies and restrictions in order to contain the global outbreak. These restrictions may impact a cruise traveller’s: • itinerary

• ability to disembark

• access to health care

While abroad, if an outbreak of COVID-19 occurs on your cruise ship:

• you could be subject to quarantine procedures, on-board ship or in a foreign country • the range of consular services available to those on cruise ships, in particular in situations of quarantine, may be significantly restricted by local authorities

• upon return to Canada, you will be required to remain in mandatory isolation for 14 days at a location determined by the Chief Public Health Officer as per the terms of any applicable emergency orders

Although it is not advised, Canadians who choose to voyage on a cruise ship should also be aware that they may not be offered the opportunity to return to Canada on a government-organized repatriation flight, or could be responsible for the costs of repatriation travel.

How to reach the Public Health Agency of Canada

British Columbia

#301-351 Abbott Street Vancouver, BC V6B 0G6