What is Coronavirus/COVID-19?
- Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that include the common cold as well as more severe diseases such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS).
- COVID-19 is the name of the disease that is caused by the virus SARS-CoV-2.
- The symptoms of COVID-19 are similar to other respiratory illnesses including the flu and common cold. The most common symptoms are:
- Fever and chills
- Cough and shortness of breath
- Sore throat
- Runny nose
- Loss of sense of taste, smell, or appetite
- Headache, muscle ache, and fatigue
- Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea
- Less common, symptoms can also include:
- Stuffy nose
- Conjunctivitis (pink eye)
- Dizziness and confusion
- Abdominal pain
- Skin rashes or discoloration of fingers or toes.
- If you have any symptoms, however mild, please self-isolate, use the BC self-assessment tool to assess your symptoms, and get tested.
Masks
Though mask mandates have relaxed recently in BC and across Canada, medical grade masks are still required in health care settings as of March 2022. If you don’t have a medical grade mask, it will be provided to you. This includes:
- Medical masks must be worn for your clinic visits.
- Medical masks must be worn on site in hospitals or other health care settings.
- We ask that you mask when we visit you for your home visits as your home is an extension of our medical workplace during your home visits; you may wear a cloth mask in your home if you prefer.
- Information on masks from the BCCDC
What do I do if I have COVID-19 symptoms?
- Do not come to clinic if sick or symptomatic. Reschedule your appointment. If you would like a check in via Telehealth or phone, please let us know
- Isolate as per CDC guidelines – remember, you must have a negative test and no longer be symptomatic prior to returning to work or other interactions
- Use the BC Government’s Self Assessment tool or call 811 to see if you should be tested. It is recommended to get tested even with mild symptoms.
- Follow this link to book an appointment at a testing site
Resources
There are a number of resources available to help you navigate COVID-19. Many of these are specific for families and for pregnant people. We will add to this list as new resources become available. Please check back regularly!
- Fraser Health FAQs – this webpage has information regarding prenatal and postpartum care during COVID-19
- Giving birth at RCH during COVID-19
- Tri-Cities COVID-19 Community Resource Guide – for families in the Tri-Cities
- New West COVID-19 Community Resources Guide – for families in New West
- BC Centre for Disease Control – general information regarding what we know about COVID-19, as well as access to information on testing and results
- Decision Tool for Pregnant Women – the BCCDC has produced this decision tool to help you decide if the COVID vaccine is right for you. Please let us know if you would like to talk to us about this topic!
- Fraser Health COVID-19 updates – get the latest updates on recommendations, as well as access to numerous resources including schools, testing, masks, and community exposures
- BC Government Provincial Health Order – details on the current restrictions (updated regularly)
- Pregnancy and COVID – Statement from the SOGC on pregnancy and COVID-19
