Protocols during Covid-19

We are seeing patients in person.  It is safe to come to the clinic and we encourage you to do so to ensure you get the right care. Phone/virtual appointments are available where appropriate or preferred.

Our health care facilities will continue to require masks as well as do active screening for Covid-19 symptoms. While the mask mandate is being lifted, the wearing of masks is still encouraged in group settings to reduce risk of additional spread and additional strain on our hospital/medical system. Thank you for your cooperation!

You should assume you have Covid-19, if you have ONE of the following symptoms:

• Cough,
• Shortness of Breath,
• Fever,
• Loss of Taste/Smell

OR if you have TWO of the following:

• Extreme Tiredness,
• Runny Nose,
• Sore Throat,
• Muscle Aches/Joint Pain,
• Nausea/Vomiting/Diarrhea,
• Headache

Please note that there is now access to oral treatments for Covid-19 if you are in a high risk group (immunocompromised, unvaccinated, age over 70, multiple other health issues, for example). If you think you may qualify, please contact your family physician right away as treatment needs to be started within 5 days of having symptoms.

• If you are symptomatic, you need to assume you have Covid-19. You should self-isolate for 5 days (10 days if over 12 and have not received 2 doses of vaccine, or if immunocompromised) AND until you have had no fever for 24 hours, and have been feeling better for 24 hours. Testing is not required but rapid tests are available at various pharmacies and grocery stores.
• If you are in a high-risk group (immunocompromised, unvaccinated, age over 70, and/or multiple other health issues, for example), you may qualify for oral Paxlovid treatment. Please contact your family physician right away as treatment needs to be started within 5 days of having symptoms.
• Regarding the Rapid Antigen Tests: It has been found they these tests are not as accurate for the Omicron strain, and as many as 40% of cases may be missed. This can be improved by doing a combined oral-nasal sample. Instructions on how to do that is located here.

Regarding Covid-19 Vaccination:

With the new variants, we are encouraging everyone to get their next doses when you are eligible! (and it’s still not too late to get your first dose if you haven’t been vaccinated yet)

• You may book your appointment  for vaccination at the Mass Vaccination Clinic online HERE. Or else call 226-289-3560 to do so. You may also get your vaccine at a participating PHARMACY.
• Currently everyone who is age 6 months or older is eligible for the Covid Vaccine. 
• Anyone over the age of 18 is advised to have a Covid-19 vaccine booster 6 months after their last vaccination (or after they have had a Covid infection). You are eligible to get that booster as soon as 3 months if you wish. 

If you need to get a copy of your vaccination receipt, you can get this from the provincial Covid-19 Vaccination site. Do not use this to book appointments for vaccines however, as London is using a different site. 

If you received your Covid vaccination outside of Ontario, you may register your previous vaccination with Public Health here by following these instructions.

If you have any questions around the vaccination – how it works, safety, risks, etc. – please have a conversation with your doctor to make sure you are getting accurate information. Some general information on the Covid-19 vaccines is available here.