General COVID-19 Resources

What is COVID-19?

COVID-19 is an illness caused by a novel (new) coronavirus that was identified in December 2019. On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic. COVID-19 continues to be a serious health threat in 2021. Human coronaviruses are a large family of viruses. They are common and often cause mild illnesses, such as the common cold. But they can also cause more serious illnesses. For the most up-to-date information on the COVID-19 outbreak in Canada, visit canada.ca/coronavirus

 

Are people with cancer at a higher risk for COVID-19?

If you have cancer, you are at a higher risk for more serious outcomes of COVID-19. Cancer is considered an underlying medical condition. And some cancer treatments, such as surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and radiation therapy, can weaken your immune system, making it harder for you to fight infections.

Talk to your doctor or healthcare team if you have concerns about your risk for COVID-19 as a result of current or past cancer treatment. They are the best source of information if you have questions about your risk based on where you live in Canada or your medical history. They will also keep you updated about any possible changes to your cancer treatments during the COVID-19 outbreak.

 

How do I take extra precautions as someone with cancer?

While there are no special precautions for people who have cancer, their families, or their caregivers, the following steps can help.

  • Stock up on supplies you would need if you were to have to stay home for a few weeks, such as groceries, pet food, and cleaning products.
  • Talk to your doctor or healthcare team about how to protect yourself. Make sure you have enough of your prescribed medicines and medical supplies or have a plan for how to get them.
  • Make a plan for how you can stay connected to others (for example, by phone, email, or video chat).
  • Take care of your body. Try to eat healthy, be active and get plenty of sleep.
  • Ask family, a neighbour, or a friend to help with essential errands (for example, buying groceries).
  • Find out about services that can deliver food or medicines to your home.
  • Monitor yourself for symptoms.

 

How Does COVID-19 Spread?

The virus that causes COVID-19 is most commonly spread from a person who is infected through:

  • Respiratory droplets that come out of the nose or mouth when coughing or sneezing
  • Aerosols are created when the person coughs, sneezes, sings, shouts, or talks
  • Close personal contact, such as hugging or shaking hands
  • Touching something that respiratory droplets have landed on, then touching your eyes, nose, or mouth before washing your hands

COVID-19 is a new disease and we are still learning how else it spreads. Someone who is infected but not showing symptoms can spread the virus. This includes people who are infected but have not yet developed symptoms (pre-symptomatic) and people who are infected who never develop symptoms (asymptomatic). This kind of spread is known to happen among those who are in close contact or are in enclosed or crowded settings.4

 

COVID Self-Assessment

If you think you might have COVID-19, you can use the Public Health Agency of Canada’s self-assessment tool to find out what to do. 5

1 2 3 4 5 The Canadian Cancer Society

COVID-19 Resources by Province

Alberta

My Health Alberta provides:

  • Symptoms
  • Self-care
  • Brain and mental health
  • Returning to work or school
  • Exercising and being active

British Columbia

Provincial Health Services Authority provides: 

  • COVID-19 recovery clinics for people recovering from severe cases of COVID-19 and those who have ongoing care
  •  Resources for patients and families
  • Resources health professionals

Manitoba

The Government of Manitoba provides:

  • Informational posters, resources, letters, fact sheets, checklists, and other helpful links
  • Resources for Manitobans helping Manitobans
  • Managing Mental Health and Addictions
  • Workplace Resources

New Brunswick

The Government of New Brunswick provides:

  • General information on COVID019 and alert levels
  • Vaccines, Symptoms, screening, testing, and isolation after travel
  • Hygiene, cleaning, and disinfecting
  • Care facilities, home care, and community healthcare
  • Individuals, families, and gatherings
  • Government services and pandemic planning

Newfoundland and Labrador

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador provides:

  • Public Health Orders 
  • Vaccine, isolation, and quarantine
  • Government financial assistance
  • Posters, info sheets, and videos 

Northwest Territories 

The Government of Northwest Territories provides:

  • Information sheets and community kit
  • Daily and weekly briefs
  • Statistics
  • Public health orders and policies
  • Learning resources

Nova Scotia

The Government of Nova Scotia provides:

  • Posters and factsheets
  • Alerts, news, and data
  • Financial and social support
  • Mental health and wellbeing
  • Vaccine, symptoms, and testing
  • Workplace and businesses 

Nunavut

The Government of Nunavut provides: 

  • General COVID-19 protocols
  • Managing anxiety and stress
  • Cleaning to reduce risk
  • Travel regulations
  • Vulnerable populations

Ontario

The Government of Ontario provides: 

  • Vaccine safety
  • COVID-19 safety measures
  • Financial assistance
  • Resources for various types of family situations

Prince Edward Island

The Government of Prince Edward Island provides:

  • Vaccines, testing, and isolation information
  • Relaxing public health measures and data
  • Travel information
  • Financial assistance
  • Workplace information 

Quebec

The Government of Quebec provides: 

  • Alert levels by regions
  • Vaccine, testing, and symptoms information
  • Health protocols
  • Consultation and mental health
  • School and workplace information
  • Financial assistance

Saskatchewan

The Government of Saskatchewan provides:

  • Public health measures
  • Cases and risks
  • Vaccine and testing information
  • Travel information
  • Information for businesses and workers
  • Mental health
  • Variants of concern

Yukon

The Government of Yukon provides:

  • FAQ questions
  • Resilience during COVID-19
  • Vaccines, testing, and self-isolating
  • Health and cleanliness information and protocols