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In late 2019, a novel coronavirus emerged, which led to the COVID-19 pandemic. Public health measures were taken to reduce virus spread and Toronto Public Health continues to recommend using layers of protection.
Staying up to date on COVID-19 vaccines is the most effective measure as vaccines significantly lower the risk of getting very sick, being hospitalized or dying from COVID-19.
Like other respiratory viruses, COVID-19 is typically spread through respiratory droplets when people who are sick with the virus cough, sneeze, or talk near people who are within two meters. It has also been found that some respiratory viruses, including COVID-19, can spread through very small droplets called aerosols, which can hang in the air for longer periods of time. Less commonly, a person may also get COVID-19 when they touch a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touch their own mouth, nose, or eyes.
COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses share common symptoms, including:
Staying home and away from others when you are sick can help prevent viruses from spreading to others. COVID-19 can share common symptoms with other respiratory viruses such as fever, cough and runny nose. If you have symptoms of a respiratory virus, you should stay home, whether you have tested or not, and wear a mask if you need to go out.
Stay home from work or school until you are feeling well enough to participate at work or school without using medications that treat fever. Anyone who works with food, the elderly, at a hospital or child care centre should stay home until you are feeling better, usually 24 hours after symptoms stop (or 48 hours if you have gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting and/or diarrhea).
Continue using layers of protection to protect yourself and others.
The COVID-19 vaccine is available now for high-risk residents and for everyone six months of age and older starting October 27, 2025.
Staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccines is important, especially for those at higher risk of getting very sick. It takes at least two weeks after getting vaccinated to be protected. It is safe and convenient to get your COVID-19 vaccine at the same time, before or after a flu vaccine, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) immunization, or any other routine vaccines.
While vaccination is the most important step you can take to protect yourself and others, there are more steps we can all take to reduce virus spread. Using layers of protection will help protect you, loved ones and those most vulnerable in our community, such as young children and the elderly.
COVID-19 testing is available for eligible individuals. To find out if you are eligible, see the provincial webpage or contact your health care provider.
Using an expired COVID-19 test can lead to unreliable and inaccurate results. Toronto Public Health recommends disposing rapid tests if they have expired.
Antiviral treatments for COVID-19 can prevent serious illness if taken soon after symptoms start. Treatment is available for eligible individuals. To find out if you are eligible, see the provincial webpage or contact your health care provider.
Seek medical care if your symptoms feel worse than a common cold by calling your health care provider or 811 (TTY: 1-866-797-0007). If your symptoms are severe, seek immediate medical attention.
Post COVID-19 condition is when the symptoms of COVID-19 persist for more than 12 weeks after the infection. It’s also known as long COVID and can affect both adults and children.
If you are caring for or living with someone who has COVID-19: