COVID-19 UPDATES

Updated Nov 1, 2024



COVID-19 Booster - FALL 2024

Everyone aged six months and older is eligible to start or complete a primary series with a COVID-19 bivalent Omicron-containing mRNA vaccine.

Fall 2024 Booster is recommended for everyone 6 months and older. Moderna KP.2 is available for those 6 months or older. Pfizer KP.2 is available for those 12 years of age or older. If there has been a recent test-confirmed COVID-19, one can consider delaying COIVD-19 immunization by 3-6 months. It is especially important for certain populations if it has been 6 months since their last vaccine / confirmed COVID-19 infection:

  • Individuals aged 65 years and older

  • Residents of long-term care homes, retirement homes, Elder Care Lodges, and other congregate living settings for seniors

  • Pregnant individuals

  • Individuals aged 18 years and older who are at higher risk of severe COVID-19

  • Individuals who identify as First Nations, Inuit, or Métis and their non-Indigenous household members

  • Members of racialized and other equity-deserving communities

  • Individuals who provide essential community services

COVID-19 Information and Resources

For general information about COVID-19 and ways to stop the spread, self-assessment information, testing locations, test results, case numbers as well as links to supports for mental health, youth, children, and financial assistance please visit: https://covid-19.ontario.ca/

Patient Resources: click here

What to do if you have symptoms?

COVID-19 can present with a wide range of symptoms, see here for a full list. COVID PCR testing is generally reserved for those at highest risk e.g. people who work at congregate settings, long term care homes, retirement homes, and hospitals. Please see the full list of eligible individuals here. If you have access to a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT), you may use it to test for COVID-19. However, a negative RAT when you have symptoms does not mean you do not have COVID-19. If you have a positive RAT, you may wish to document the positive test for your records (labelled with date and name).

Individuals with any of the above symptoms are recommended to self-isolate and stay at home until fever is resolved and their symptoms have been improving for at least 24 hours (48 hours for gastrointestinal symptoms).

For a total of 10 days after the date of specimen collection or symptom onset (whichever is earlier/applicable), individuals should:

  • Continue to wear a well-fitted mask in all public settings (including schools and childcare, unless under 2 years old) and avoid non-essential activities where mask removal is necessary (e.g., dining out, playing a wind instrument, high contact sports where masks cannot be safely worn)

  • Not visit anyone who is immunocompromised or at higher risk of illness (e.g., seniors)

  • Avoid non-essential visits to highest risk settings such as hospitals and long-term care homes

If you are experiencing symptoms: you can complete this COVID-19 self assessment tool.

Am I eligible for treatment?

Antiviral treatments, such as Paxlovid and Remdesivir, are now available in the community for people with symptoms who are at higher risk of severe COVID-19. These treatments must be taken within the first 5 days of your symptoms starting.

Those who are considered high risk include:

  • 60 years of age or older

  • Adults who are immunocompromised regardless of age/prior infections/vaccine status

  • • Adults with one or more underlying medical conditions (such as diabetes, heart or lung disease)

  • • Adults who are unvaccinated or under-vaccinated

If you are eligible for treatment, please call our office to speak with the nurses if you have a home rapid test that is positive.