COVID-19 Positive
What to do if you test positive for COVID-19?
- If you test positive for COVID-19 on a PCR or a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT), immediately self-isolate for a minimum of 5 days (if fully vaccinated or under 12 years old) or 10 days (if not fully vaccinated or immunocompromised) and complete the COVID-19 self-assessment for more detailed instructions:
- Inform all of your household members and non-household close contacts* as soon as possible
- Household members and other contacts may also need to self-isolate. Instruct your contacts to visit ontario.ca/exposed and to complete the COVID-19 self-assessment for more detailed instructions
- For five days after symptoms started (or 10 days for people who are immunocompromised):
- Wear a mask and avoid activities where you need to take off your mask, such as dining out
- Do not visit or work in any highest risk setting
- Do not visit anyone who is at higher risk of illness (for example, seniors, people who are immunocompromised)
- If you test positive for COVID-19, you may receive a COVID-19 text notification from York Region, click on the secure link and follow the instructions
- If you test positive on a rapid antigen test (RAT), you do not need a confirmatory PCR test to confirm you are positive
*Non-household close contact is someone who had contact with you within 48 hours prior to your symptom onset if symptomatic or 48 hours prior to your positive specimen collection date (if asymptomatic) and until you started self-isolating AND was within two-metres of you for at least 15 minutes or for multiple short periods of time without appropriate measures such as masking and distancing.
What to do if you have symptoms of COVID-19:
You must self-isolate immediately if you have symptoms of COVID-19 or have tested positive for the virus.
Visit ontario.ca/exposed and complete the COVID-19 self-assessment for more detailed instructions. Inform all of your household members and close contacts as soon as possible.
What to do if you had exposure to someone who tested positive for COVID-19 or someone with symptoms of COVID-19:
- You must self-isolate if you have symptoms of COVID-19 or have tested positive for the virus
- You may need to self-isolate if you live with someone who has COVID-19 symptoms or has tested positive for COVID-19
- You do not need to self-isolate, but must self-monitor for symptoms and take all necessary precautions if you've been exposed to someone from another household with symptoms of COVID-19 or a positive test result.
- For 10 days after your last exposure to the positive/symptomatic person:
- Do not visit or work in any highest risk setting (unless you have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 90 days)
- Wear a mask and avoid activities where you need to take off your mask, such as dining out
- Do not visit anyone who is at higher risk of illness (for example, seniors, people who are immunocompromised)
- You must also report your exposure to your employer and follow any work restrictions
Individuals who live, work, volunteer or are admitted to any of the highest risk settings must follow the steps outlined by the Ministry of Health.
Visit ontario.ca/exposed and complete the COVID-19 self-assessment for more detailed instructions.