Symptoms of COVID-19 are often similar to the cold and flu. The average incubation period is 5 days, and symptoms may take up to 14 days to appear after exposure.To existing text, add the following:

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 include:

• fever (feeling hot to the touch, a temperature of 37.8 degrees Celsius or higher)
• chills
• cough that’s new or worsening (continuous, more than usual)
• barking cough, making a whistling noise when breathing (croup)
• shortness of breath (out of breath, unable to breathe deeply)
• sore throat
• difficulty swallowing
• runny, stuffy or congested nose (not related to seasonal allergies or other known causes or conditions)
• lost sense of taste or smell
• pink eye (conjunctivitis)
• headache that’s unusual or long lasting
• digestive issues (nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain)
• muscle aches
• extreme tiredness that is unusual (fatigue, lack of energy)
• falling down often
• for young children and infants: sluggishness or lack of appetite

We also want you to know what you can do to safeguard your personal health.  Watch this video from the World Health Organization explaining COVID-19, how it spreads, and measures you can take.

Remember, to reduce the risk of the spread of infection, remember to:

• Stay home if you are sick and avoid other sick people as much as possible 
• If you are sick, get tested for COVID-19 (learn more at www.phsd.ca) 
• Limit your social circle to members of your household 
• Stay 2 metres (6 feet) apart from the nearest person 
• Limit gatherings of any size 
• Limit travel 
• Wear a face covering at all times in public places 
• Wash your hands frequently 
• Sneeze/cough into your sleeve or a tissue  and discard the tissue in a garbage container 
• Don’t touch your face

Physical distancing is the act of reducing your potential exposure to COVID-19 by limiting close contact with others. Social isolation can include not attending events or space where there are lots of people, and keeping at least 2 metres from the person nearest to you.

Learn more about physical distancing at Public Health Sudbury & Districts, www.phsd.ca.

Visit Public Health Sudbury & Districts (www.phsd.ca) for full details on what to do. Here are some key points:

• Monitor your health for the symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, cough, difficulty breathing)
• Once you develop these symptoms, isolate yourself as quickly as possible
• Call your local Public Health organization (in Sudbury, Public Health Sudbury & Districts, 705.522.9200  or toll-free 1.866.522.9200), and call ahead to a physician’s office, clinic, or hospital BEFORE you visit, so they can prepare for your arrival.
• Students can also choose to inform their program coordinators if they will be away from classes so we can help you with academic accommodation.

The federal government  is advising against all non-essential international travel.

The federal government has closed Canada’s borders to all international visitors, and the border between Canada and the United States is closed to non-essential travel.

Canadian citizens and their immediate family members, permanent residents, diplomats, and air crews will continue are still being allowed into Canada.

Anyone coming into Canada will also have to self-isolate for 14 days, and anyone showing symptoms of COVID-19 will not be allowed to enter Canada

It would be therefore wise to avoid any international travel at this time.

Please check the latest travel advisories from the Government of Canada at www.canada.ca/coronavirus, and click on Travel Advice.

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a rash of cyber attacks across the globe. The Information Technology Helpdesk warns individuals to remain vigilant for scams related to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Cyber actors may send emails with malicious attachments or links to fraudulent websites to trick victims into revealing sensitive information or donating to fraudulent charities or causes. Exercise caution in handling any email with a COVID-19-related subject line, attachment, or hyperlink, and be wary of social media pleas, texts, or calls related to COVID-19.  Please refer to the material below provided by the Government of Canada regarding Cyber Hygiene to protect yourselves and your families.

Should you have any questions or concerns about cyber hygiene please contact the Helpdesk at extension 7370 from 9am to 4pm.

https://cyber.gc.ca/en/guidance/cyber-hygiene-covid-19

We’ve consulted with Public Health Sudbury & Districts to come up with a quick guide as to whether you should come to campus or not, if you or someone you live with are sick.

You’ll find that on our website, www.cambriancollege.ca/reopen. In point #10 of the top ten list, click on “scenarios”.

Generally, though, we are asking you not to come to campus if you are feeling sick.

Monitor your health. You can visit www.ontario.ca/coronavirus to take a self-assessment. Based on your results, testing may be recommended. You can also use that website to find a COVID testing centre near you. You can also go to your local public health website (in Greater Sudbury, visit www.phsd.ca).

Even if testing for COVID-19 is not recommended for you, we ask that you not come to campus until you have been symptom-free for at least 24 hours, or at least 48 hours if you experienced vomiting or diarrhea.

If you have tested positive for COVID-19, yes, you will need clearance from an appropriate health care professional to return to campus.

If you have tested negative for COVID-19, we ask that you only return to campus if you have been symptom-free for at least 24 hours.

If you have not been tested, monitor your health, and only return to campus when you have been symptom-free for at least 24 hours, or at least 48 hours if you experienced vomiting or diarrhea.

You can contact your Program Coordinator, who will work with your Dean and faculty to make arrangements with you.

When we are informed of a confirmed case of COVID-19 on campus, we do undertake a thorough cleaning of the areas of campus where the individual may have been. This includes labs, classes, washrooms, exam/lunch areas, door handles, handrails, etc.

It may assure you to know that, every day, we do a thorough cleaning of high-traffic areas and high-touch surfaces on campus.

This cleaning protocol remains the same, whether the campus is open or closed.

In addition, we have in place other rigourous infection-control practices such as limiting campus access to only those students and employees who need to be here, controlled entrances, pre-screening for COVID symptoms before you are allowed on campus, a mandatory face covering policy, and cleaning of learning spaces and tools before and after each use.

Health and safety is our top priority, followed by ensuring our students are able to complete the lab portions of their courses. We’re confident the measures we put in place daily will achieve both.

We are legally obliged to protect the personal health information of employees and students. As such, we cannot reveal information that could lead to the identity of someone within the Cambrian community who tests positive for COVID-19.

But we know you want information to help you determine your level of risk.

We will tell you when the person was last on campus and general areas where they may have been (i.e. Trades Building, Student Residence) to help you make that determination of your level of risk.

This level of disclosure is similar to what is being done at some other colleges and universities.

Public Health Sudbury & Districts (or your local public health authority) is responsible for notifying anyone who may have come in close contact with someone who tests positive for COVID-19. If you are not contacted by Public Health, you are NOT considered a close contact.

You are a close contact if you HAVE BEEN within 2 metres (6 feet) of someone who is COVID-positive, for at least 15 minutes, without you wearing personal protective equipment (face covering)

The best way to protect yourself from exposure to COVID-19 is to follow best practices all the time, whether you are on campus or out in the community:

• maintain physical distancing
• avoid crowds
• wear a face covering in public spaces and when physical distancing cannot be maintained
• cough into your sleeve or a tissue
• wash your hands frequently and avoid touching your face
• stay home if you are sick and avoid other sick people as much as possible.
• Download the free COVID Alert app

If you do these things consistently, you will lower your risk of exposure to COVID-19, wherever you are.

If you are still concerned about your risk of exposure, we absolutely encourage you to contact Public Health Sudbury & Districts at 705-522-9200. Share with them your circumstance and they will provide you with an official assessment and further guidance. Remember, you can also do a self-assessment at www.ontario.ca/coronavirus.

It is Public Health that declares an outbreak based on the individual circumstances, and it will provide direction on what we should do.

An outbreak is not declared just because you have more than one case at the same time or have had more than one case in total.

The Ontario Ministry of Health, Infectious Disease Protocol provides some criteria to consider when determining if an outbreak has occurred:

• Are there two or more laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases with a link in the workplace within a 14-day period and where it is reasonable to assume the individuals acquired their infection in the workplace.

The declaration of an outbreak does not automatically mean the shutdown of the college. Outbreaks were declared at two universities in Ontario, and they remained open because of the measures that were put in place to contain the spread.

We will inform you if ever there is an official declaration of outbreak at Cambrian and we will also share with you our plans to deal with it, while respecting the personal health information of those who have tested positive.