
Medcan is taking extraordinary measures to ensure that it continues to provide exemplary levels of service throughout the pandemic, both virtually and at our physical location. For example, Medcan’s Year-Round Care clients are invited to consult with Medcan virtually or by telephone at 416.350.5900. We’re here to provide advice and guidance catered to your specific situation. One possible scenario may see you requiring COVID-19 testing. Until recently, government regulations in Canada required all COVID-19 testing to be done in assessment centres, but as of January 2021, Medcan will be offering COVID-19 PCR (nasal swab) testing with a 24-hour turnaround time for clients with no symptoms.
Medcan is well-positioned to keep our physical location free of COVID-19 infection because all of our client visits are booked in advance, as appointments. That means we’re able to screen all visitors before they arrive, either virtually or by telephone for symptoms or high-risk histories. Clients who believe they may have the virus are being asked to opt for virtual medical appointments. In addition, Medcan is taking extraordinary steps to keep our location infection free, such as stepped up infection-control measures in common areas with frequent antiviral and disinfectant cleaning on such surfaces as elevator buttons and door handles. Furthermore, we have reduced our capacity to facilitate 2-metre physical distancing in all areas.
For information about hand washing, see CDC’s Clean Hands Save Lives!
If you have flu-like symptoms, you can help protect others by doing the following:
Two words…stay healthy. It’s critically important right now that people practice self-care. For example, don’t smoke, because smoking impairs the lung’s ability to fight off infection. Take care of yourself. Make sure your immune status is good. Exercise. Eat well. Manage your stress levels. Ensure that any chronic conditions are optimally managed. All of these things, ultimately, are things that we can control that will minimize how seriously it affects us.
Human coronaviruses most commonly spread from an infected person to others through:
In the context of COVID-19, close contact means being within 2 metres for more than 10-15 minutes. Examples of close contact include kissing or hugging, sharing eating or drinking utensils, talking to someone, and touching someone directly. Lower risk activities include walking by a person or briefly sitting across a waiting room or office. Wearing a mask reduces the risk of transmission even if close, prolonged contact has occurred. In an outdoor setting close contact is much less risky.
Family members should minimize contact to reduce the chance of becoming infected with all of the steps suggested above, including, primarily, maintaining a safe distance of at least two metres. Ideally, self-isolating in a dedicated and isolated part of the house away from other individuals is recommended.
Common human coronaviruses, including types 229E, NL63, OC43, and HKU1, usually cause mild to moderate upper-respiratory tract illnesses, like the common cold. Most people get infected with these viruses at some point in their lives. These illnesses usually only last for a short amount of time. Symptoms may include
Human coronaviruses can sometimes cause lower-respiratory tract illnesses, such as pneumonia or cardiovascular illness. This is more common in people with cardiopulmonary disease, people with weakened immune systems and older adults.
Yes, absolutely.
The incubation period is usually (on average) several days. It is well-documented that the peak period of viral transmission is prior to symptoms appearing and just after symptoms appear. Some individuals take longer to manifest symptoms—up to 12 days. This is why we need to quarantine for 14 days currently.
Yes. There are several vaccines now being developed and distributed globally.
There are now several specific treatments for illnesses caused by COVID-19, however these are reserved and only effective for individuals who are at risk of hospitalization or are sick enough to require hospitalization.
Most people with common human coronavirus illness will recover on their own. However, you can do some things to relieve your symptoms.
If you are concerned about your symptoms, contact us at 416.350-5900.
If you have become ill and you feel that this might be due to this novel coronavirus, visit your nearest Emergency Department.
We will not be testing patients who are symptomatic at Medcan for COVID-19 at the request of our public health agency. If samples are required, this will be done through Emergency Departments.
The flu shot will protect you against Influenza only. This is a different type of virus from the coronavirus so the flu shot will not help protect you against this virus. It will certainly help to protect you from influenza, however.
Surgical/medical/3-ply masks are protective for viruses spread by droplets that are coughed and fall within 1-2 metres from a person. We know that this virus is also spread by airborne microparticles that stay in the air, but these situations are predominantly associated with medical procedures. Protection against these microparticles can only be provided with N95 respirator-masks. At this point, only individuals who are at higher risk for exposure (screening personnel at airports, first responders, ER staff, etc.) need to wear N95 respirators.
If you have additional questions or concerns, please call 416.350.5900 to speak with a Medcan representative.