Here's what to do if you have COVID-19 in Quebec right now

As Quebec settles into this seventh COVID-19 wave, fuelled by the Omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5, here's a reminder of what to do if you test positive or start to exhibit symptoms of the virus:

GET TESTED

Get tested if you haven't already.

If you're in a high-priority group, register online for a PCR test.

If not, do a rapid test at home and don't forget to log your results.

If the result is positive, you must self-isolate by following public health guidelines for people with COVID-19.

If the result is negative, self-isolate and do a second rapid test 24 to 36 hours later.

After the second rapid test, if the result is positive, self-isolate, and if it is negative, resume normal activities while following public health rules.

If the result is invalid, do another rapid test using a new testing kit.

Remember that symptoms usually develop five to seven days after exposure to the virus, but may appear over a two to 12 day period.

STAY HOME

To know if you need to self-isolate, take the self-assessment quiz here.

The general rule is you must self-isolate for a minimum of five days from the date your symptoms started or you tested positive.

You may resume activities if your symptoms improve after five days and you have not had a fever for at least 24 hours without taking medication.

During those next five days, you must:

• Wear a mask during all social interactions;
• Stay two metres away from others whenever possible;
• Avoid contact with vulnerable individuals.

If your fever or symptoms persist after five days, continue self-isolating for another five days.

If you are immunosuppressed or have been hospitalized in intensive care for COVID-19, you must self-isolate for 21 days from the date symptoms started or the day you tested positive.

If you are a person with a high risk of complications from infection, speak to your health care professional about potentially being prescribed antiviral drug Paxlovid to alleviate symptoms.

The government notes the risk of getting COVID-19 again within three months of recovering from the virus is low.

Anyone with symptoms, but who recovered from COVID-19 within the last three months, is therefore not obliged to self-isolate; public health orders are still to be followed.