Novel coronavirus, COVID-19
Symptoms, self-assessment, and self-isolation
If you have symptoms of COVID-19, assume that you may have the virus. You must stay home and self-isolate.
Take the Government of Ontario COVID-19 self-assessment if you were exposed to COVID-19, or have symptoms of COVID-19 (Government of Ontario). You will get a recommendation on what to do next.
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 think you may have COVID-19, were exposed to the virus, or are a household contact, visit ontario.ca/exposed to learn what to do next.
If you have tested positive for COVID-19, using either a PCR or a rapid antigen test, self-isolate and visit ontario.ca/exposed for next steps.
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.
Public health and workplace safety measures
Sector-specific health and safety measures (Government of Ontario) has information you will need to consider and steps you should take to protect yourself and your workers. You can also learn about how Ontario intends to lift the remaining public health and workplace safety measures (Government of Ontario) and track key indicators going forward.
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 and exposure risks. You can also download our weekly Detailed COVID-19 epidemiology summary and Detailed COVID-19 vaccination reports on Tuesdays.
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 about 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 ontario.ca/exposed.
The COVID-19 self-assessment tool
Take the COVID-19 self-assessment (Government of Ontario) if you have symptoms of COVID-19 or were exposed to COVID-to learn what to do next and to help determine if you need to seek further care.
Testing for COVID-19
Testing detects the COVID-19 virus in your body at the time of testing. If you have been exposed and are in the early days of incubating the virus, it might not be detected. Testing will not tell you if you were previously infected, as the antibody test is not yet available. It is strongly recommended to maintain personal protective measures.
Rapid antigen tests
Free rapid antigen tests are available for the general public for at-home use (Government of Ontario) and are available at participating pharmacies and grocery stores (Government of Ontario), as well as through select community partners in vulnerable communities.
Rapid antigen test results will be provided to you within 15 minutes following use of the test. Rapid antigen test results do not need to be reported to Public Health.
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:
Health Sciences North (HSN) assessment centre
Manitoulin Health Centre (MHC) assessment centre
Espanola and area communities assessment centre
- For clients in Nairn, McKerrow, Massey, Sagamok, Webwood, Espanola, and Birch Island.
- Clients MUST call 705.869.1420, ext. 4500 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., 7 days per week.
- Assessment centre online information.
Chapleau assessment centre
- Clients MUST call 705.864.2568 (Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.).
- Same day appointments are available daily. After hours messages or appointment requests will be booked for the following day (or the next available day if a call is received on the weekend).
- The assessment centre is open Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 to 4:30 p.m.
- Clients must come alone to an appointment unless directed otherwise.
- Assessment centre online information.
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.
COVID-19 case, contact and outbreak management
How does Public Health conduct follow-up after a positive test result?
Case management
When Public Health Sudbury & Districts receives notification of a positive PCR test, our staff or a member of the Provincial Workforce (PWF) will follow-up with the individual who has the positive test result for COVID-19. A person with a positive test result is called a confirmed “case”.
There may be a delay between the time you get a positive COVID-19 test result and when you are contacted by Public Health Sudbury & Districts or the Provincial Workforce (PWF). We ask for your patience while waiting and that you self-isolate.
Cases will be asked to identify and notify close contacts to follow the direction provided at ontario.ca/exposed.
It is critical that individuals with COVID-19 (cases) maintain self-isolation, including from people living in the same household, to not spread the infection to others.
Contact tracing
If you have symptoms of COVID-19 or have tested positive on a COVID-19 test, tell your close contacts that they have been exposed. It is the responsibility of a person with COVID-19 to identify and notify close contacts and provide them with the direction on what to do next by visiting ontario.ca/exposed.
A close contact is anyone who has been less than two metres to someone who has COVID-19 for at least 15 minutes or for multiple short periods of time without appropriate personal protective equipment (as per Management of Cases and Contacts of COVID-19 in Ontario, PDF).
The purpose of identifying contacts is to provide these individuals with important instruction on how to reduce the spread of infection to others (for example, self-monitoring, work-related direction, self-isolation).
Examples of people who are considered close contacts of a case of COVID-19 are:
- people living in the same household
- people having direct or close physical contact with a case
- people having direct contact with respiratory droplets of a case (for example, shaking hands)
Not all contacts of a person with COVID-19 will develop infections. The risk of infection depends on a number of factors. Call Public Health Sudbury & Districts with any concerns or questions at 705.522.9200.
Declaring an outbreak
Public Health assesses each unique situation in determining if an outbreak should be declared, including, for example, occupation, exposures in the home, symptoms of the case, specific risk factors, and local epidemiology. Learn more about what leads to the declaration of an outbreak in long-term care homes, retirement homes, and other congregate settings in our guidance for health care providers, long-term care homes, and retirement homes (COVID-19).
Self-isolation
For information on who should self-isolate, the duration, and how to self-isolate, visit ontario.ca/exposed or call the Provincial Testing and Isolation Information Line at 1.888.777.0730 (7 days a week).
For COVID-19 information or questions related to testing or isolation guidelines, you can also contact call Public Health at 705.522.9200, toll-free 1.866.522.9200.
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 or someone in your household is 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.
- Provincial Testing and Isolation Information Line at 1.888.777.0730, Monday to Sunday, from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
- Health Connect Ontario for medical advice at 1.866.797.0000 (TTY 1.866.797.0007). 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 October 12, 2022
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