COVID-19 Resources: COVID-19 : The Basics

From Hastings Prince Edward Public Health and the Government of Canada:
The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are:

• New or worsening cough shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Temperature equal to or more than 38°C
• Feeling feverish
• Chills
• Fatigue or weakness muscle or body aches
• New loss of smell or taste
• Headache
• Abdominal pain, diarrhea and vomiting
• Feeling very unwell
• Some children can get a very rare condition that causes inflammation. Seek medical attention right away if a child is not improving or gets a rash, long lasting fever, red eyes and/or swelling in their hands and feet.

Most people, about 80%, recover from the disease without needing special treatment. In more severe cases, symptoms can also include:

• shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• pneumonia in both lungs

If you experience shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, seek medical attention immediately.

From Hastings Prince Edward Public Health and the Government of Canada:

• Current research shows that SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, spreads from an infected person to others through respiratory droplets and aerosols when an infected person breathes, coughs, sneezes, sings, shouts, or talks. The droplets vary in size, from large droplets that fall to the ground rapidly (within seconds or minutes) near the infected person, to smaller droplets, sometimes called aerosols, which linger in the air, especially in indoor spaces.
• Droplets and aerosols can travel more than 2 metres / 6 feet . Being in confined spaces, crowded areas and places with poor ventilation may increase the risk of catching it.
• It is not known exactly how long the virus can live on objects, so it is unknown how easily the infection is spread by contact. It may be possible to catch it by touching surfaces that have the virus on them and then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes. Washing your hands frequently and not touching your face can help to protect you from this risk.
• You may be infected but not have symptoms. However, even if you have no symptoms, you can still spread the virus to others.

You can find the most current data on COVID-19 in Hastings and Prince Edward Counties from Hastings Prince Edward Public Health.

From Hastings Prince Edward Public Health:

By taking some simple precautions, you can reduce the risk of becoming infected, or infecting those around you:

• Several different vaccines for COVID-19 are available. Information about the vaccines, their efficacy and safety, and information on booking a COVID-19 vaccine can be found on the HPEPH website.
• Wear a mask, preferably with three layers and a filter. Learn more from Health Canada. Learn more from the HPEPH website.
• Wash your hands frequently using soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer
• Avoid shaking hands with others. Instead, use other forms of acknowledgement, like waving
• Cough and sneeze into the bend of your arm, not into your hand
• If you use a tissue, throw it away immediately and wash your hands
• Avoid touching your nose, mouth or eyes with your hands
• Clean objects/surfaces that a lot of people touch (door handles, phones, light switches, desks, surfaces on public transit), and wash your hands after touching these surfaces
• Clean objects such as cell phones, tablets, computer keyboards and mice, and headphones
• Clean surfaces that you may touch frequently, such as car steering wheels
• Don’t share items such as cutlery or water bottles with others – even immediate family
• Get your influenza vaccine to help avoid getting the flu
• Stay home when you are sick and avoid contact with other people until your symptoms are gone
• If you suspect you are sick, avoid visiting people in long term care, or individuals with health concerns
• Practice physical distancing, and limit time in public places

Additional Library Resources

From the Government of Canada:

If you’re infected with COVID-19, even if you do not feel ill, follow the advice of your local public health authority for isolating at home. Most people with mild symptoms will recover on their own, and your health care provider may recommend steps you can take to relieve symptoms. Adults and children with mild COVID-19 symptoms can stay at home while recovering. Consult your health care provider as soon as possible if:

• you are concerned about your symptoms
• you have recently traveled to a region where severe coronaviruses are known to occur. More information on travel advisories can be found via the Government of Canada's website.

To learn more about caring for yourself or someone else with a COVID infection:

• COVID-19: How to quarantine or isolate at home
• COVID-19: How to care at home for someone who has or may have been exposed

From Quinte Health Care:

The Ontario government has released an online COVID-19 Self-Assessment tool, which you are asked to use before booking a COVID-19 test. There is a version for students, parents, and school staff, and also one for the average adult. This self-assessment will help you determine whether a COVID-19 test is warranted. Please click here for more information about Who Should Be Tested For COVID-19.

The following links and contacts will connect you with local, provincial, national, and world organizations.