Self-Isolation

The Middlesex-London Health Unit investigates COVID-19 cases as they relate to high risk settings. If you develop symptoms of COVID-19, test positive for COVID-19, or are a close contact of someone with COVID-19, please review the information below for guidance. 

Self-Isolation Calendar

The self-isolation calendar is an example to help you understand when you can leave self-isolation and what to do after you leave self-isolation. This resource is available in English, French and Arabic from the links below.

Do you have symptoms of COVID-19?

If you are feeling unwell, take the COVID-19 Self-Assessment to determine if you have symptoms of COVID-19 and need to self-isolate. If you have symptoms, assume that you are positive for COVID-19 and follow the following self-isolation requirements which apply to you.

You have symptoms and are concerned you may have COVID-19. Now what?

The image below was extracted from the Ontario Ministry of Health’s Management of Cases and Contacts of COVID-19 in Ontario (Page 15).

Do you live or work in a high-risk setting?

If you live or work in a high-risk setting, please review additional information here.

Have you tested positive for COVID-19?

If you do not have symptoms of COVID-19 but have tested positive for COVID-19 on a PCR or a Rapid Antigen Test, you are required to self-isolate. Follow the self-isolation requirements.

If you test negative on a Rapid Antigen Test, but have symptoms of COVID-19, you and your household should self-isolate following the self-isolation requirements which apply to you.

If you have symptoms of COVID-19, but test negative on two Rapid Antigen Tests, taken 24-48 hours apart, it is likely that your symptoms are not caused by COVID-19 and you should self-isolate until your symptoms have been improving for 24 hours (48 hours if your symptoms are gastrointestinal). Your household members are not required to self-isolate unless they have another reason for doing so.

Do you live or work in a high-risk setting?

If you work in a high-risk setting and you either have symptoms of COVID-19 or have tested positive for COVID-19 on a PCR or Rapid Antigen Test, you must:

• For staff, notify your employer.
• Do not return to your high-risk setting for 10 days after the date your symptoms started, or the date of your positive test, whichever is earlier, regardless of your vaccination status.
• Based upon staffing needs, your symptoms and in consultation with your employer, you may be able to return to work early.

If you live in a high-risk setting and you either have symptoms of COVID-19 or have tested positive for COVID-19, public health and the facility will work together to provide isolation instructions.

Are you a close contact of someone with COVID-19?

You’ve been identified as a close contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 or someone with COVID-19 symptoms. Now what?

The image below was extracted from the Ontario Ministry of Health’s Management of Cases and Contacts of COVID-19 in Ontario (Page 27).

Definitions

Close Contact
A close contact is someone with whom you were within two metres’ distance for at least 15 minutes, or multiple shorter lengths of time, without personal protective equipment within the 48 hours before your symptoms started or you had your positive test, whichever came first.

High-risk Settings
Hospitals (including complex continuing care facilities and paramedic services), home and community care workers and congregate living settings with medically and socially vulnerable individuals, including, but not limited to, Long-Term Care, retirement homes, First Nation elder care lodges, group homes, shelters, hospices, correctional institutions, Provincial Demonstration Schools and hospital schools.

Self-isolate

For information about how to self-isolate, please review Public Health Ontario's How to Self-Isolate (PDF).

Self-monitor
For information about how to self-monitor, please review Public Health Ontario's How to Self-Monitor (PDF).