Symptoms of SARS-CoV-2

These symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure:  

  • Fever (CDC/WHO)  
  • Cough (CDC/WHO)  
  • Difficulty breathing (CDC/WHO)   
  • Tiredness (WHO)  

Less common symptoms:  

  • Aches & pains (WHO)  
  • Diarrhea (WHO)  

(CDC / WHO)  

Coronavirus versus Flu  

The symptoms of coronavirus and flu are similar.  But some of the differences may be:  

  • Corona: rarely get runny nose, sometimes get shortness of breath  
  • Flu: Rarely see shortness of breath, sometimes see funny nose  

What should I do if I feel sick?

If you are experiencing symptoms of coronavirus, Health Canada’s online assessment tool can help you determine what to do depending on what province or territory you are in. 

Next steps include:  

  • Self-isolate as much as possible for 14 days (stay in a separate room from others in your home or keep 2 metres apart) 
  • Contact your local public health authority (see below) 
  • Continue to monitor your symptoms  

(Source: Health Canada) 

Provinces and Territories Telephone Website
British Columbia 811www.bccdc.ca/covid19
Alberta811www.myhealth.alberta.ca
Saskatchewan811www.saskhealthauthority.ca
Manitoba1-888-315-9257 www.manitoba.ca/covid19  
Ontario1-866-797-0000 www.publichealthontario.ca 
Quebec1-877-644-4545 www.quebec.ca/en/coronavirus
New Brunswick811www.gnb.ca/publichealth
Nova Scotia811www.nshealth.ca/public-health
Prince Edward Island811www.princeedwardisland.ca/covid19
Newfoundland and Labrador811
Or 1-888-709-2929 		www.gov.nl.ca/covid-19
Nunavut867-975-5772 www.gov.nu.ca/health
Northwest Territories811www.hss.gov.nt.ca
Yukon Territory811www.yukon.ca/covid-19

What to do if your kids are sick

Symptoms of COVID-19 in children can look slightly different than in adults. They include: 

  • Sore throat (sometimes seen in adults too).
  • Diarrhea.
  • Runny or stuffy nose.

(Source: CBC news) 

So far, children do not seem to get as sick as adults from COVID-19. If your child is sick, keep them isolated at home. Follow the same practices for when someone in your home is sick (see below). 

What to do if someone in your home is sick

  • If possible, try to arrange to give this person their own space within the home (ideally maintaining separate bedrooms and bathrooms–but this may not be possible).
  • Disinfect all surfaces regularly, especially frequently touched objects like door handles, bathrooms, especially if complete isolation within the home is not possible.  
  • Wash your hands often.
  • Maintain a distance of 2 metres. 

What to do to protect Elders

  • Consider not visiting Elders or family members over 60.
  • Maintain contact through other ways to keep up their mental health and connection.
  • If you do visit, maintain distance of 2 metres, and avoid hand-shaking or hugs.
  • Wash your hands for at least twenty seconds regularly when you are around them