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What do I do if I believe my Homestay student may be sick?

If an individual develops flu or cold-like symptoms and has not been exposed to an affected region, they should follow normal protocols by staying at home and minimizing social contact. If the individual has travelled internationally to an affected region, they should follow normal protocols and contact a health care provider if their condition worsens. Call Health Links Winnipeg (1-888-315-9257) or Telehealth Ontario (1-866-797-0000) for advice at any time. If a student needs to go to a clinic or the hospital, they can claim the expense through their GuardMe insurance, or private insurance. Some clinics offer direct billing. Please assist them in notifying the health care provider in advance of their arrival.

Additionally, please ask your student to let the school know they will miss class:

Winnipeg Campus – (204) 989-8448,

Mississauga Campus – (905) 542-4977,

 

What do I do if one of my family members becomes sick?

Isolate the individual from others as much as possible and follow normal protocols.

If you are a Homestay host, encourage your Homestay student to often wash their hands with soap and water and alert a Heartland staff member if they start to feel unwell (cold or flu-like symptoms).

I live in on-campus student housing and suspect I have the virus. What should I do?

If you have flu-like symptoms and have not been exposed to an affected region, follow normal protocols by staying in your room, resting and minimizing your social contact.

If you have flu-like symptoms and have travelled internationally to an affected region, follow normal protocols by staying in your room and minimizing your social contact. Students should call Health Links Winnipeg (1-888-315-9257) or Telehealth Ontario (1-866-797-0000) for advice at any time. Please call the healthcare provider in advance to notify them that you will be attending the office.

Please email Heartland and residence services if asked to isolate yourself by a local health care provider. Residence Services will contact individuals with further information and support.

When should I self-isolate?

Federal and provincial public health leaders have recommended that all travellers from outside of Canada self-isolate for 14 days. These efforts will contribute to slow the introduction and spread of COVID-19 in Canada.

Upon landing in Canada:

You will be asked if you have a cough, difficulty breathing or fever. If you have any of these symptoms, you will be given instructions on the next steps you are required to take. If you do not have any of these symptoms, you will be asked to do the following:

  • Self-isolate for 14 days after your return to Canada. Some provinces and territories may have specific recommendations for certain groups such as health care workers. Self-isolate means:
    • stay home and keep your distance from others
    • do not have visitors, especially older adults, or those with medical conditions who are at a higher risk of developing serious illness
  • Monitor your health for fever, cough or difficulty breathing.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for 20 seconds, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
  • Cover your mouth and nose with your arm when coughing or sneezing.

If you develop a fever, cough or difficulty breathing within 14 days:

  • Continue to isolate yourself from others
  • Immediately call a health care professional or public health authority and:
    • describe your symptoms and travel history
    • follow their instructions carefully

What are the guidelines for those who need to self-isolate?

Isolation means staying at home when you have symptoms of with COVID-19 and avoiding contact with other people to help prevent the spread of disease to others in your home and your community.

If you have been diagnosed with COVID-19, or are waiting to hear the results of a lab test for COVID-19, it is expected that you take the following measures.

Limit contact with others

  • Do not leave home unless absolutely necessary, such as to seek medical care.
  • Do not go to school, work, other public areas or use public transportation (e.g., buses, taxis).
  • Arrange to have groceries and supplies dropped off at your door to minimize contact.
  • Stay in a separate room and use a separate bathroom from others in your home, if possible.
  • If you have to be in contact with others, keep at least 2 metres between yourself and the other person. Keep interactions brief and wear a mask.
  • Avoid contact with individuals with chronic conditions, compromised immune systems and older adults.
  • Avoid contact with pets if you live with other people that may also be touching the pet.

Keep your hands clean

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, and dry with disposable paper towels or dry reusable towel, replacing it when it becomes wet.
  • You can also remove dirt with a wet wipe and then use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
  • Cough or sneeze into the bend of your arm or into a tissue.

Avoid contaminating common items and surfaces

  • At least once daily, clean and disinfect surfaces that you touch often, like toilets, bedside tables, doorknobs, phones and television remotes.
  • Do not share personal items with others, such as toothbrushes, towels, bed linen, utensils or electronic devices.
  • Use regular household disinfectants or diluted bleach (1 part bleach and 9 parts water) to disinfect.
  • Place contaminated items that cannot be cleaned in a lined container, secure the contents and dispose of them with other household waste.
  • Put the lid of the toilet down before flushing.

Care for yourself

  • Monitor your symptoms as directed by your health care provider or public health authority.
  • If your symptoms get worse, immediately contact your health care provider or public health authority and follow their instructions.
  • Get some rest, eat a balanced diet and stay in touch with others through communication devices.

Supplies to have at home when isolating

  • Surgical/procedure masks (do not re-use)
  • Eye protection
  • Disposable gloves (do not re-use)
  • Disposable paper towels
  • Tissues
  • Waste container with plastic liner
  • Thermometer
  • Over the counter medication to reduce fever (e.g., acetaminophen)
  • Running water
  • Hand soap
  • Alcohol-based sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol
  • Dish soap
  • Regular laundry soap
  • Regular household cleaning products
  • Bleach (5% sodium hypochlorite) and a separate container for dilution (1 part bleach to 9 parts water)
  • Alcohol prep wipes
  • Arrange to have your groceries delivered to you

Staying in isolation can be difficult and lonely. If you are isolated, keep contact with friends and family through phone or computer.