How can I and my family prepare for COVID-19?
Create a household plan of action to help protect your health and the health of those you care about in the event of an outbreak of COVID-19 in your community:
- Talk with the people who need to be included in your plan, and discuss what to do if a COVID-19 outbreak occurs in your community.
- Plan ways to care for those who might be at greater risk for serious complications, particularly older adults and those with pre-existing chronic medical conditions like heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, and lung conditions.
- Make sure they have access to several weeks of medications but do not unnecessarily hoard food and supplies once you have access to these.
- Create a contact list of local organizations that you and your household can contact in the event you need access to information, healthcare services, support and resources.
- Create an emergency contact list of family, friends, neighbours, carpool drivers, health care providers, teachers, employers, the local public health department and other community resources.
What cleaning products should I use to sanitize my home?
Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces such as landline phones, cellphones, tablets, laptops, tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, toilets, faucets, and sinks. If surfaces are dirty, clean them using detergent or soap and water first. To disinfect, most common undiluted household disinfectants will work, or you can use a combination of 1/3 bleach to 1 gallon of water.
What should I do if I suspect that I or someone from my household has been exposed to COVID-19?
If you believe that you or someone from your household has been exposed to COVID-19 please self-quarantine (see Self-quarantine Guidelines) and call the hotlin, 877-WELL (9355) for further guidance. If severely ill, call the 811 emergency hotline or call ahead to the Accident and Emergency Department of your nearest hospital for help and go in immediately. Since COVID-19 is spread from person to person you are advised to:
- Clean hands regularly by hand-washing with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid sharing personal items like utensils, food and drinks.
- Move vulnerable persons, like the elderly and those with pre-existing medical conditions, to another room.
- Use a separate room and bathroom for sick household members (if possible)
- Provide your sick household member with clean disposable facemasks to wear at home, if available, to help prevent spreading COVID-19 to others.
- Clean the room the person is staying in and bathroom, if the person is too ill to do it themselves, but avoid unnecessary contact with the sick person. If surfaces are dirty, they should be cleaned using a detergent and water prior to disinfection. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for all cleaning and disinfection products.
What are the risks for children?
Based on available evidence, children who were previously well, do not appear to be at higher risk for severe COVID-19 infection than older adults. This does not mean that they cannot become ill with the virus. In addition, children can also have the virus, not show symptoms, and easily spread the virus to others.
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