COVID-19

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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
set of medical protective face masks
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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!

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