• Provincial review

News Release: March 14, 2020

Advice for the community on COVID-19 and when to access health care

Peel Public Health, Trillium Health Partners and William Osler Health System issue direction on when to call Public Health, when to get tested for the virus and when to go to the Emergency Department.

MISSISSAUGA, ON. (March 14, 2020) – In an effort to reduce the spread of infection, protect patients who actually need help and enhance capacity across our community hospitals, Peel Public Health, Trillium Health Partners and William Osler Health System have partnered together on official community guidelines for COVID-19 containment, testing and reporting.

All community members are asked to protect themselves and others by taking the following steps:

1. If no symptoms are present, testing is not required: Anyone who is NOT experiencing symptoms (fever, cough or difficulty breathing) should NOT get tested for COVID-19 unless specifically instructed by your public health unit or doctor.
2. If no symptoms are present AND you have travelled outside of Canada, testing is not required. If you have travelled outside of Canada and are not experiencing any symptoms, you do not need to get tested or call your public health unit. Instead, self-monitor for  symptoms and avoid locations where it is difficult to distance yourself from others, such as schools, workplaces and mass gatherings for 14 days.
3. Self-isolate for 14 days if symptomatic after international travel or close contact with a positive case: If you have travelled outside of Canada in the last 14 days OR have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 AND are experiencing symptoms of cough, fever or difficulty breathing, self-isolate and call your local public health unit immediately for guidance.
4. If symptomatic, call your public health unit or doctor's office BEFORE going in: If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 and worry you may be at risk, DO NOT walk directly into a health care or public health facility. Doing so puts others and the health care system at risk. Call your public health unit for a risk assessment and instructions on next steps.
5. In the case of an emergency please visit the Emergency Department

As part of our coordinated effort to effectively respond to COVID-19, three Assessment Centres have opened in Peel. To visit an Assessment Centre at Trillium Health Partners, you must be referred by your local Emergency Department or Peel Public Health. Referrals are not required for William Osler Health System's Assessment Centre at its Peel Memorial site.

Protecting the health of our community and ensuring care is available for those who require it is a shared responsibility. Every community member plays a part in stopping the spread of COVID-19 and protecting our hospital resources for those who need them. We thank the community for partnering with us to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Your local hospital systems and health unit are working together to coordinate actions that keep our communities safe. We ask that all community members stay up-to-date and follow the guidelines provided by Peel Public Health to help keep the risk to Peel communities low. 

Residents of Peel  can contact Peel Public Health at 905-799-7700 (905-584-2216 in Caledon) with COVID-19 concerns, we apologize that there may be a bit to a wait. Non-Peel residents should call their local health unit for guidance.

For up-to-date information on COVID-19, visit peelregion.ca/coronavirus/, for hospital specific information visit thp.ca or williamoslerhs.ca and/or monitor the following Twitter accounts:

• @regionofpeel
• @THP_Hospital
• @OslerHealth

Media Contacts

Jeffrey LeMoine,
Communications Specialist
Region of Peel
Tel: 289-325-4700

Janet Eagleson,
Commnications Manager
Region of Peel
Tel: 647-221-4127