COVID-19 symptoms can range from mild to severe. Complications from COVID-19 can include serious conditions, like pneumonia or kidney failure, and in some cases, death. If you feel sick, it’s important that you stay home and talk with a primary care provider or doctor.
Visit Health Canada for detailed information, tools and facts about symptoms, risks and how to prevent, treat and manage illness.
- Get vaccinated and stay up to date on all of your vaccinations, including the annual influenza and the COVID-19 vaccine.
- Clean your hands often, especially if you are sick or caring for someone who is sick.
- Clean your hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub (preferably 70-90% alcohol) for at least 15 seconds.
- Handwashing is particularly important before you eat and is considered a simple measure to prevent the spread of infection.
- Wear a well-fitted mask.
- Individuals should wear a well-fitted mask when feeling ill or providing care to someone who is ill, especially those at higher risk of severe infection.
- Masks should always be changed when they become damp, dirty, or torn.
- Practise physical distancing.
- If you have a respiratory illness avoid crowded spaces and maintain safe distances (2 metres) from others, especially while in public settings.
- Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze using a tissue.
- If a tissue is not available, cough or sneeze into the bend of your arm, not your hands. Throw used tissues into the garbage and clean your hands right away.
- Use disposable gloves when handling blood and bodily fluids, when cleaning cuts and scrapes, or when changing a baby’s diaper in a daycare setting.
- Gloves should be removed after use and should never be re-used. They should only be used once, then put into the garbage. Do not use hand sanitizer on gloves.
- Clean and disinfect surfaces (door handles, light switches, toys, diaper change areas, etc.).
- In your home, daycare, classroom, or office at regular intervals.
- Toys young children put into their mouths should not be shared until they are cleaned.
- Stay home when feeling sick.
- This includes avoiding work, school, daycare, or extra-curricular activities.
- Keep toilets clean.
- Do not share personal items.This includes hairbrushes, toothbrushes, towels, facecloths, utensils, cups, hats, headphones, razors, masks etc.
- Wash school or daycare laundry using detergent and warm water.
- If you operate a daycare, the laundry can be sent home in a plastic bag to be washed.
- Limit contact with wild animals and control pests/insects.
- Follow relevant guidelines on whether you or your child should be excluded from work, school, or daycare.
- Call ahead prior to attending an appointment with your health care provider or walk in clinic, let them know your symptoms.
This page was last updated September 21, 2026