McGill.CA / Coronavirus (COVID-19) / Resources / Health guidelines

Potential COVID-19 exposure: what to do

What do I do if...

I have COVID-19 symptoms?
I have symptoms and am awaiting the results of a COVID-19 test?
  • Self-isolate at home and await the results of the test.
My test results for COVID-19 came back positive?
I have returned to Canada from outside the country?
  • Self-isolate for 14 days.
  • If you develop symptoms, get tested.
I have been in contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19, and am in the moderate or high risk category*?
  • Self-isolate at home for the 14 days following your last contact with the person who tested positive.
  • If you live in Montréal, call 514 362-2941 (Montréal Public Health) and follow instructions.
  • If you take a COVID-19 test and it comes back negative, continue your 14-day isolation.
I have been in contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19, and am in the low-risk category*?
  • Monitor yourself to watch for symptoms, as you normally would, but you do not need to self-isolate.
  • Note: the public health authorities do not notify anyone who is a low-risk contact.
I live with someone who has symptoms or is awaiting the result of a COVID-19 test?
  • Montreal Public Health advises that you do not need to self-isolate or take any action.
I have been in contact with someone who has returned to Canada from outside the country, and the traveller is in quarantine but does not have any symptoms?
  • Montreal Public Health advises that you do not need to self-isolate or take any action.

*Definitions of low/medium/high risk contacts

Montreal Public Health defines three levels of risk, when it comes to contact with someone infected with COVID-19:

High-risk contact

A high-risk contact corresponds generally to a person who has been in sustained physical contact with the person who tested positive without wearing a procedure** mask: for example someone living under the same roof, someone who is an intimate or sexual partner or someone who has had direct contact with infectious biological fluids such as saliva.
Medium-risk contact A medium-risk contact has had close contact (less than 2 m) for more than a total of 15 minutes with the person who tested positive without wearing a procedure** mask.
Low-risk contact

A low-risk contact is someone:

  • who was more than 2 m away at all times from the person who tested positive OR
  • who wore appropriate personal protective equipment OR
  • who was less than 2 m away, but for less than 15 minutes

**A procedure mask is also known as a medical mask or surgical mask, and is recognized Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). It differs from a cloth mask or face covering.

 

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