COVID-19
COVID-19 is a respiratory disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. It's important to stay safe during respiratory illness season and stay up to date with your COVID-19 vaccinations.
COVID-19 Vaccinations
More information about COVID-19 vaccinations is available on the COVID-19 Vaccination page.
Symptoms, Transmission, Testing and Treatment
COVID-19 can spread quickly in our communities. It is important to stay home when experiencing any symptoms to prevent the spread of illness to others.
Individuals who live, work, visit, volunteer or are admitted to any of the highest risk settings must follow the steps outlined by the Ministry of Health.
Symptoms
The most common symptoms of COVID-19 include:
- Fever (a temperature of 38 degrees Celsius or higher) and/or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath (out of breath, unable to breathe deeply)
- Decrease or loss of taste or smell
- Runny nose or nasal congestion
- Headache
- Extreme fatigue
- Sore throat
- Muscle aches or joint pain
- Nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea
Other symptoms of COVID-19 include abdominal pain, headache, pink eye, or lack of appetite.
If you have any severe symptoms, such as difficulty breathing or chest pain, call 911.
Complications from COVID-19 can include serious conditions, like pneumonia, and in some cases, death. Your risk of severe disease may be higher if you have a weakened immune system. This may be the case for:
- People over 70 years of age
- People who are immunocompromised or those with chronic diseases such as diabetes, cancer, heart, renal or chronic lung disease
Transmission - How COVID-19 Spreads
COVID-19 can spread easily from an infected person when they breathe, talk, cough or sneeze. The virus can remain in the air or on surfaces and people can become infected if they breathe that air or touch a contaminated surface, then touch their eyes, nose or mouth.
Testing for COVID-19
If you are at increased risk of severe illness and have symptoms of respiratory illness you may be eligible for COVID-19 testing (including PCR and rapid antigen tests). If you are unsure if you are eligible for a test, speak with a healthcare provider.
Learn more about eligibility from the Ministry of Health.
Treatment
A physician, nurse practitioner or participating pharmacist may prescribe antiviral treatments (including Paxlovid and Remdesivir) if you:
- Have symptoms and test positive for COVID-19
- Are at increased risk for severe outcomes from COVID-19
Antiviral treatments may not be safe for certain people to take. Your healthcare provider will determine if, and which treatment (Paxlovid or Remdesivir) is right for you. Learn more about treatment from the Ministry of Health.
Integrated Respiratory Dashboard
York Region updates the dashboard content weekly to present information on COVID-19, influenza (flu), and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) disease activity and trends in York Region. The data includes information on disease severity, high-risk populations, and the general community.
Integrated Respiratory Dashboard
For an alternative and accessible format of the dashboard, please contact @email.
