COVID-19 Resources for Health Care Providers

If are you looking for general information about COVID-19, please visit our main COVID-19 web page. The content below is mainly for Health Care Providers.

HPEPH Bulletins for Health Care Providers (HCP)

Previous issues of our bulletins are shared on the Public Health Bulletin for Local Health Care Providers page and five most recent bulletins are listed below. Please subscribe to receive future bulletins.

• March 26 – Vaccine Booking for 75+ and Other Priority Populations
• March 18 – Vaccine Booking System Available for Those 80+
• March 12 – Covid Vaccines Community Health Care Providers
• February 27 – Highest and Very High Priority HCWs now eligible for COVID-19 Vaccine, Roll Out Update
• February 19 – Vaccine Update, School Testing Updates
• February 10 – Variants of Concern, PHAC COVID Vaccine Webinar
• January 29 – Local Vaccination Rollout Plan and Questions Answered
• January 27 – Ontario’s Adjusted COVID-19 Vaccination Plan, new and updated COVID-19 resources
• January 14 – Reporting form discontinuation, monitoring initiative, vaccine update
• January 7 – AEFI Reminders, STI rates and treatment reminders

General questions about the virus, or any communicable disease, can be directed to the HPEPH CD Intake Line 613-966-5500 or 1-800-267-2803, ext. 349. For additional, detailed information, health care providers are also encouraged to visit the Ministry of Health’s Page for Health Care Workers.

Resources for Health Care Providers

COVID-19 Vaccine-Relevant Information and Planning Resources

• Immunization Documents – General Information
  • COVID-19 Screening and Consent Form – Ministry of Health
  • HCP Script for Obtaining Informed Consent – Ontario Ministry of Health
  • Phase Two Prioritization – Ministry of Health
  • SARS-CoV2 Variant of Concern Screening Laboratory Form – Public Health Ontario
  • AEFI Reporting Form – Public Health Ontario
  • AEFI Reporting Fact Sheet – Public Health Ontario
  • COVID-19: About Vaccines – Ontario Ministry of Health
  • COVID-19 Vaccine Approval Process – Ontario Ministry of Health
  • COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic Operations Planning Checklist – Ontario Ministry of Health
  • IPAC Guidance for Vaccine Clinics – Ontario Ministry of Health
  • Vaccine Storage Information – Ministry of Health
  • Allergy Form – Ministry of Health
  • Decision Aid for Vaccine – Canadian Rheumatology Association
  • Dose Interval Extension Information – Ministry of Health
  • Medical Exceptions for Dose Interval Extension – Ministry of Health

• Immunization Documents – Primary Care Providers
  • Primary Care Provider Vaccine Readiness Checklist
  • Communications Toolkit – Indigenous Communities and Organizations
  • Social Media Message Translations – Indigenous Communities and Organizations

• Immunization Documents – Priority Populations
  • COVID-19 Vaccination Recommendations for Special Populations – Ontario Ministry of Health
  • COVID-19 Prioritization Resources (Updated Feb 2021) – Ministry of Health
  • Verbal Attestation for Vaccine (pregnancy and immunocompromised) – Ministry of Health
  • Vaccination during Pregnancy Clinical Support Tool (April 2021) – Ministry of Health
  • Pregnancy Decision Making Infographic (April 2021) – Ministry of Health
• Immunization Documents – Long-Term Care and Retirement Homes
  • LTC/RH Vaccination Guidance – Ministry of Health
  • LTC/RH IPAC – Ministry of Long Term Care
  • Memo on RH Vaccinations – Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility
• Immunization Documents – Health Care Workers
  • Prioritization of HCW – Ontario Ministry of Health
  • Managing Health Care Workers with Symptoms within 48 Hours of Receiving COVID-19 Vaccine – Ontario Ministry of Health
• Immunization Documents – First Nations and Indigenous
  • COVID-19 Updates – NCCIH
• General Public Health Ontario Information
  • COVID-19 Data and Surveillance
  • COVID-19 Multicultural Resources
• COVID-19 Vaccine Toolkit – Ministry of Health
  • Toolkit Welcome
  • Vaccine Fact Sheet
  • 5 Things to Know About Vaccines
  • Vaccine Conversation
  • Vaccine Q&A
  • Vaccine Poster 8X11
  • Vaccine Poster 11X17

Screening, Testing and Case Management for Patients

• Public Health Management of Cases and Contacts of COVID-19 in Ontario – Ontario Ministry of Health
• COVID-19 Guidance for Primary Care Providers in a Community Setting – Ontario Ministry of Health
• COVID-19 Provincial Testing Guidance Update – Ontario Ministry of Health
• Considerations for Rapid Antigen Screening – Ontario Ministry of Health
• Rapid Point of Care Testing Use Case Guidance – Ontario Ministry of Health
• COVID-19 Case Definition – Ontario Ministry of Health
• COVID-19 Symptom List – Ontario Ministry of Health
• Considerations for Employer Antigen Screening Pilot -Ontario Ministry of Health
• Considerations for Privately-Initiated Testing – Ontario Ministry of Health
• Appendix 8: Serology Testing and MIS-C – Ontario Ministry of Health
• Quick Reference Guide for Testing and Clearance – Ontario Ministry of Health
• COVID-19 Patient Screening Guidance Document (V4.0) – Ontario Ministry of Health
• COVID-19 Virus Test Requisition Form – PHO
• COVID-19 Staff Surveillance Test Tracking – HPEPH
  • Excel Version
  • Word Version
• Referral for COVID-19 Assessment form – HPEPH
• COVID-19 Screening Sign for Medical Offices
  • Patients English French
  • Visitors English French
• Testing Guidelines for COVID-19 – PHO
• Fee Code – Providing Services by Telephone/Video or Working in Designated Assessment Centres – OMA

Screening and Self Isolation for HCW

• HCW Self-Isolation and Return to Work Reference Guide – HPEPH – June 17, 2020
• HCW Self-Isolation While at Work – PHO – April 5, 2020

PPE and Cleaning Protocols for HCP

• Workplace PPE Supplier Directory
• No cost PPE for community-based family physicians – Province of Ontario
  • Instructions
• Technical Brief – Updated IPAC Recommendations for Use of PPE for Care of Individuals with Suspect or Confirmed COVID-19 – PHO – March 12, 2020
• Removing PPE Video – PHO
• Best Practices for Environmental Cleaning for IPAC – PHO
• Cleaning and Disinfection for Public Settings – PHO

Pregnancy and Birth

• COVID-19 Vaccination Recommendations for Special Populations – Ontario Ministry of Health
• COVID-19 in Pregnancy – adapted from Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada
• Maternal-Neonatal COVID-19 General Guidelines – The Provincial Council for Maternal and Child Health
• Maternal-Neonatal COVID-19 General Guidelines – Webinar – The Provincial Council for Maternal and Child Health
• COVID-19 Guidance: Labour, Delivery and Newborn Care – Ontario Ministry of Health

Child Care

• Operational Guidance During COVID-19 Outbreak: Child Care Re-Opening
• COVID-19 Guidance for Emergency Child Care Settings
• COVID-19 Guidance: Summer Day Camps (V3.0) – August 13, 2020
• Health and Safety Guidance During COVID-19 for Employers of Child Care Centres – Public Services Health and Safety Association

Allied Health Professionals

• The Testing of Asymptomatic Persons in Pharmacies – Ontario Ministry of Health
• Canadian Immunization Guide Chapter on Influenza and Statement on Seasonal Influenza Vaccine for 2019–2020 – Government of Canada
• COVID-19 Guidance for Consumption and Treatment Services (CTS) Sites – April 12, 2020
• COVID-19 Guidance: Mental Health and Addictions Service Providers in Community Settings (V2.0) – September 24, 2020
• COVID-19 Guidance: Community Pharmacies (V4.0) – June 19, 2020
• Class Exemption for Pharmacists Prescribing and Providing Controlled Substances – Health Canada
• COVID-19 Guidance: Independent Health Facilities (V4.0) – June 19, 2020
• COVID-19 Guidance for Home and Community Care Providers (V4.0) – May 4, 2020
• COVID-19 Guidance for Hospice Care (V1.0) – May 4, 2020
• COVID-19 Guidance for Paramedic Services (V4.0) – October 1, 2020
• COVID-19 Guidance for Community Labs and Specimen Collection Centres (V3.0) – March 29, 2020

Supportive Housing – including LTC and Retirement Homes

• LTC Home Surveillance Strategy – Memo and FAQ – Updated Nov 19, 2020
• Reopening Retirement Homes – Ontario Ministry of Long-Term Care – Updated September 8, 2020
• Resuming Visits in Long-Term Care Homes (effective September 9, 2020) – Ontario Ministry of Long-Term Care
  • Visits in Long-Term Care Homes FAQ
• Update to Visits at Long-Term Care Homes – Ontario Ministry of Long-Term Care – July 17, 2020
• COVID-19 Testing for Retirement Homes – CMHO Memo – June 12, 2020
• New Admissions and Readmissions to Long-Term Care Homes – Ontario Ministry of Long-Term Care – June 12, 2020
• Re-introductions of Visits & Transfer of Hospital Patients and Community Clients to Long-Term Care Homes – CMOH Memo – June 11, 2020
• COVID-19 Surveillance Testing – Guidance Regarding Retirement Homes Staff and Resident Testing – June 9, 2020
• Resuming Visits in Congregate Living Settings – Ministry of Children Community and Social Services
• COVID-19 Guidance: Congregate Living for Vulnerable Populations (V1) – May 28, 2020
• LTC/RH COVID-19 Screening Tool (V3.0) – Ontario Ministry of Health – May 6, 2020
• LTC & RH Consult Line for General Internal Medicine – Ontario Health – April 27, 2020
• COVID-19 Outbreak Guidance for Long Term Care Homes – Ontario Ministry of Health – April 16, 2020
• COVID-19 Guidance for mask use in LTCH and RH – Ontario Minsitry of Health – April 16, 2020
• COVID-19 Guidance for LTC (V4.0) – Ontario Ministry of Health – April 15, 2020

General Health Sector Resources

• IPAC checklist for primary care, specialty, and walk-in clinics during COVID-19 – Public Health Ontario
• COVID-19 Guidance for the Health Sector – link to all Ministry COVID-19 Guidance Documents
• COVID-19 Operational Requirements for Health Sector Restart (V2.0) – Ontario Ministry of Health – June 15, 2020
• COVID-19 Guidance for Acute Care (V6) – Ontario Ministry of Health – June 15, 2020
• Visitors to Acute Care Settings – CMOH Memo – June 15, 2020
• COVID-19 Guidance: Workplace Outbreaks (V1.0) – Ontario Ministry of Health – June 11, 2020

Directives from the CMOH

• Directive #3 for Long-Term Care Homes – CMOH – updated October 16, 2020
• Directive #5 for Hospitals and Long-Term Care Homes – CMOH – updated October 5, 2020
  • Directive #5 Q&A – October 8, 2020
• Directive #2 for Health Care Providers – CMOH – updated May 26, 2020
• Directive #4 for Ambulance Services and Paramedics – CMOH – updated March 31, 2020
• Directive #1 for Health Care Providers and Health Care Entities – CMOH – updated March 31, 2020

Posters

• Reduce the Spread of COVID-19: Wash Your Hands Poster – PHAC
• Physical Distancing Poster – Ontario Ministry of Health
• How and When to Safely Wear a Mask Poster – Ontario Ministry of Health
• What You Need to Know to Help You and Your Family Stay Healthy Poster – Province of Ontario
• Wear a Face Covering When… Poster – Province of Ontario
• Health Care: Guidance for Health and Safety – Province of Ontario
• How to Hand Wash Poster – HPEPH
• Putting on Personal Protective Equipment Poster – PHO
• Taking off Person Protective Equipment Poster– PHO

Information For Patients

• I Have Been TESTED for COVID-19 – Now what should I do? Follow-up Instructions – Public Health Ontario
• COVID-19 Fact Sheet – HPEPH
• COVID-19 Information for the Public – Ontario Ministry of Health
• Effects of COVID-19 on Pregnancy & Infant Feeding – HPEPH
• Cleaning and Disinfection for Public Settings – Public Health Ontario
• How to Self-Monitor – Public Health Ontario
• How to Self-Isolate – Public Health Ontario
• How to Isolate at Home – Public Health Agency of Canada
• Self Isolation: A Guide for Caregivers/Contacts – Public Health Ontario

Last updated: March 3, 2021.