COVID-19 Commonly Asked Questions

COVID-19 is a novel (new) coronavirus that was first identified in Wuhan, China in late 2019. Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that originate in animals and are known to cause respiratory infections in humans. Novel coronaviruses include Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

The World Health Organization (WHO) classified COVID-19 as a pandemic on March 11, 2020.

Symptoms of COVID-19 range from mild — like the flu and other common respiratory infections — to severe.

Call 911 if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms:

• Severe difficulty breathing (struggling for each breath, can only speak in single words)
• Severe chest pain (constant tightness or crushing sensation)
• Feeling confused or unsure of where you are
• Losing consciousness

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 include:

• Fever (feeling hot to the touch, a temperature of 37.8 degrees Celsius or higher)
• Chills
• Cough that's new or worsening (continuous, more than usual)
• Barking cough, making a whistling noise when breathing (croup)
• Shortness of breath (out of breath, unable to breathe deeply)
• Sore throat
• Difficulty swallowing
• Runny, stuffy or congested nose (not related to seasonal allergies or other known causes or conditions)
• Lost sense of taste or smell
• Pink eye (conjunctivitis)
• Headache that’s unusual or long lasting
• Digestive issues (nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain)
• Muscle aches
• Extreme tiredness that is unusual (fatigue, lack of energy)
• Falling down often
• For young children and infants: sluggishness or lack of appetite

If you begin to show symptoms of COVID-19 or think you may have been exposed to the virus, please visit ontario.ca/exposed for more information and next steps.

The best way to protect yourself and your loved ones from COVID-19 is to get vaccinated.

• COVID-19 vaccinations are available to anyone aged 5 and older in Ontario.
• All authorized COVID-19 vaccines in Canada are safe and effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalization and death from COVID-19.

In addition, we ask everyone to follow public health guidelines:

• Wash your hands often;
• Wear a mask when you are indoors or in large groups; and
• Stay two metres apart from people outside your household.

This is especially important if you are not vaccinated or partially vaccinated.

Please see our COVID-19 Resources page for fact sheets, videos and other resources in various languages to learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine.

Please see our COVID-19 Vaccination page to learn more about where you can get your first dose, second dose, third (booster) dose and/or fourth (booster) dose of the COVID-19 vaccine in East Toronto.

• Speak to your friends, neighbours and loved ones and encourage them to get vaccinated against COVID-19. 
• Help your friends, neighbours and loved ones book a vaccine appointment or assist them in getting to a local clinic.
• When people you know are hearing rumours or incorrect information, share information about the COVID-19 vaccine from public health units and other reliable, science-based sources.

Find helpful fact sheets, videos and other resources in various languages about the COVID-19 vaccine.