Health Unit on what to do next if you have symptoms or test positive for COVID-19

With more people in the Health Unit district now being exposed to COVID-19, and fewer people able to access PCR and rapid antigen tests, the Health Unit has launched a new web page that provides a link to the provincial self-assessment tool and guidelines for what to do next if you test positive for COVID-19, have symptoms, or may have been exposed to the virus.

The guide is available at myhealthunit.ca/COVIDGuide. Individuals without internet access can contact the Health Unit’s call centre at 1-844-478-1400 or 705-995-3810 for advice.

The North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit says, over the past two weeks, the COVID-19 situation has greatly changed in our region, with 808 cases being reported — over five times higher than the number of cases reported in the previous two weeks. Public health officials acknowledge the case count is lower due to under-reporting. The number of reported cases is significantly lower than the actual number of cases locally and provincially because only a small proportion of people have been able to access PCR tests lately.

See related: Ontario changing who can access publicly funded COVID testing

The Health Unit notes the province as a whole is experiencing an even greater rise in case numbers due to the highly transmissible Omicron variant. In response, Ontario has moved into a modified step two of the Roadmap to Reopen, returned students to online learning for two weeks and set new rules for testing and self-isolation.

See also: Step 2, here's a refresher on what that means

And: Health Unit: 'Positive rapid antigen test results do not need to be reported' under new provincial guidelines

“It is understandable that the quick and frequent changes have been frustrating and confusing. By following public health measures and taking precautions as if you have COVID-19, you can help to slow the spread among people in our communities, help our hospitals avoid crisis and allow our businesses to recover more quickly,” explains Dr. Jim Chirico, Medical Officer of Health. “The data are showing that although Omicron is less severe than other variants, the sheer number of people getting infected in a short period of time could result in critical hospital bed shortages.”

For more information on the COVID-19 situation locally, visit myhealthunit.ca/COVID-19.