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Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)

Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Make sure you protect yourself and your community against COVID-19 by getting vaccinated.

Last updated: October 9, 2024

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness caused by the virus SARS-CoV-2. Symptoms of COVID-19 are similar to other respiratory illnesses, including the flu and the common cold.

Protect yourself and your community against COVID-19 by getting your updated immunizations this fall.

On this page:

Getting vaccinated against COVID-19

As we moved into viral respiratory illness season, the virus continues to circulate in our communities. The protections against infection that COVID-19 immunizations provide decrease over time, particularly in older people, so keeping your immunizations up to date will help ensure you stay protected. For information on getting a COVID-19 vaccine, please visit:

For more information on what to expect following immunizations, learn more at Care after getting an immunization | HealthLink BC.

COVID-19 symptoms

Everyone should routinely monitor for symptoms of COVID-19. Self-monitoring means paying close attention to how you feel. Record your temperature if you feel chills or feverish. You may also need to help children or close contacts who are older or chronically ill to self-monitor.

To learn about COVID-19 symptoms, what to do if you are feeling ill, and who may be at higher risk for complications, see:

Learn more about how to self-monitor at BC Centre for Disease Control: Self-Isolation and Self-Monitoring.

Testing

A COVID-19 test is recommended when a positive or negative result will inform decisions about treatment or care. Testing is recommended for people with symptoms of COVID-19 and who are:

  • Hospitalized
  • Pregnant
  • At risk of more severe disease and currently eligible for treatment

To learn more about testing, visit:

Treatment

There are some specific treatments available for COVID-19. For more information, see BC Centre for Disease Control: Treatments.

To find out if treatment may be right for you, visit the Government of British Columbia: COVID-19 testing and treatments page.

For additional information on COVID-19 treatments, visit:

When seeing a health care provider, please tell them:

  • Your symptoms
  • Where you have been travelling or living
  • If you had close or prolonged contact with a sick person, especially if they had a fever, cough or difficulty breathing

Staying at home if you are sick

If you have COVID-19 symptoms, you can manage your illness similar to how you manage other respiratory infections like influenza (flu). Stay home if you feel sick and take prevention measures to limit the spread of infection. For more information about self-isolation, visit:

If you still have symptoms more than 3 months after your initial illness, you may be experiencing long COVID. The Provincial Health Services Authority: Post-COVID-19 Interdisciplinary Clinical Care Network offers clinical care, education (online resources sheets and videos) and access to research opportunities to support your recovery.

Mental health resources

COVID-19 infection can bring up feelings of confusion, sadness and anxiety. These are normal feelings when faced with uncertainty and health challenges. It is important to take care of your mental health and be kind to yourself. Learn more about mental health and COVID-19: