NWHU advices public to prepare for self-isolation
In a media release, the Northwestern Health Unit is advising residents to prepare for self-isolation.
Public health officials note that with the high percent positivity rates, due to the highly-transmissible Omicron variant, it is likely that many households will need to self-isolate within the coming days and weeks.
The Health Unit advices the public to have essential items on-hand in the case that you are required to self-isolate. Such items include pain relief medications, frozen and canned fruits or vegetables, non-perishable food items, personal hygiene products, and cleaning supplies.
The new guidelines from the Province of Ontario require anyone with symptoms to isolate for 5 days if fully vaccinated or under 12-years-old, or 10 days for anyone not fully vaccinated that is aged 12 or over. All household members have to stay home while the symptomatic individual is isolating.
Anyone who is unsure whether their symptoms require isolation should visit
www.ontario.ca/exposed for more information.
PCR testing is no longer available for much of the population, and anyone with symptoms should assume they have COVID-19.
“People with symptoms of COVID-19 and their household members must self-isolate and should assume their illness is COVID-19. Testing is not necessary for those who do not live, work, or visit high risk settings, as defined by the Ministry of Health,” says Dr. Kit Young Hoon, Medical Officer of Health at NWHU.
