COVID-19 Updates

We encourage people with any history of international travel (including the USA) to stay at home and self isolate for 14 days and self monitor for symptoms of COVID 19. Please present to the ER if you are having chest pain or difficulty breathing.

Please follow the current recommendation by Public Health and the government of Ontario to limit close contacts to your own household members, wash your hands often and wear a mask when physical distancing of 2m isn’t possible.

If you have symptoms of COVID-19 or have been in close contact with a known case of COVID-19, please isolate at home and get tested. Information about where to get tested can be found by clicking here.

After Hours Clinic

When you call to register for the After Hours Clinic, you will be given an approximate time frame for your appointment by our nurse.  Please ensure that you are available to answer the phone, and that your phone is set to receive numbers with no caller ID. The physician may be using a cell phone with a blocked number.  In order to fully address your issue, a physical exam may be required.  Please be aware that you may be asked to come into the clinic in person.  If a photo has been requested for a phone visit at the time of registration, it needs to be submitted to the portal (click here) on the website by 4:30pm so that it can be viewed in your chart during the evening clinic.

Cold and Flu during the COVID 19 Pandemic

The common cold usually causes nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat, sneezing and cough.  It may also cause fever and headache. Influenza or the flu also causes these symptoms, and is more frequently associated with fever, fatigue, headaches and body aches. These illnesses are caused by viruses, and antibiotics are not helpful to treat them.  Most of the time, these illnesses can be managed at home and do not require a visit to the doctor.

A cold or flu virus can be expected to last 7 to 14 days.  Symptoms are generally worst in the first week. Some residual symptoms such as cough may last longer than 14 days. 

Adults will commonly have 2-3 colds per year.  Even healthy children may get 8-12 colds per year.

The most effective way to prevent transmission of cold and flu is careful and frequent handwashing.

Get the Flu Shot.

How to treat at home:

Stay at home.

Get plenty of rest and fluids.

Eating ice chips, gargling salt water, or using lozenges may help with sore throat.

Saline drops or over the counter antihistamines and decongestants can help with nasal congestion and runny nose. If you take other medications, please check with the pharmacist before using any over the counter decongestants.

Acetaminophen or ibuprophen will help with fever, headaches and body aches.

Contact the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Center COVID Assessment Center at 807-935-8100 to obtain testing for COVID 19 as many of the above symptoms are associated with this virus.  

When to seek medical care:

You should seek immediate medical care if you have Chest Pain.

You are experiencing new or worsening shortness of breath.

You have underlying lung disease such as COPD or asthma with new or worsening cough, shortness of breath or change in sputum.

You are wheezing (whistling sound with breathing)

Your symptoms are worsening after 7 days.

You have a fever (temperature > 38^oC) for more than 3-5 days

You have a severe sore throat and difficulty swallowing for more than 3 days.

You have pain in your face and upper teeth associated with fever and nasal congestion.

Any fever in a child under 3 months even if they appear well. An infant less than one month old with a fever should be taken directly to the ER.

3-36 months with fever lasting more than 3 days

Infants and children 3 months or older who seem unwell (fussy, clingy, not eating or drinking well, lethargy (low energy or decreased responsiveness), or showing signs of an ear infection such as pulling at ears)

High fever (greater than or equal to 39.4^o C or 103 ^o F)

Children of any age with any signs of difficulty breathing such as wheezing or whistling sound with breathing, or breathing quickly.

Children of any age with recurrent fevers lasting more than 5 days.

Children of any age with chronic medical issues.

Children of any age with fever and a new rash.

Children of any age whose symptoms are worsening after 7 days.

ALL patients coming to the Fort William clinic above the age of 2 are required to wear a mask. A cloth, neck tube or scarf are acceptable.

Please click here for information on creating a mask.

Click on the image to view a PDF on how we are providing care.

Appointments can now be requested by e-mail at: appointments@fwfht.ca

** Please include your name and phone number and a team member will contact you directly to coordinate an appointment **

The Fort William Clinic is committed to protecting your health. Our priority is to reduce the risk of exposure, limiting the impact of the Coronavirus-19 pandemic on our patients, staff, and the community.

We encourage people with ANY history of international travel (including the the USA), or exposure to those who have traveled, to stay home, isolate and self monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 such as fever and cough. Please present to the ER if you are having chest pain or difficulty breathing.

Additional awareness resources can be found here. Important phone numbers and PDF resources can be found below.

The Health Unit telephone numbers are:

• (807) 625-5900   (Infectious Disease Program)
• 1-888-294-6630  (Toll-free)
• 1-866-797-0000  (Telehealth)

https://www.tbdhu.com/coronavirus

PDF Resources:

• Covid-19 Self Monitoring Factsheet (PDF)
• Covid-19 Isolation Guide for Caregivers Factsheet (PDF)

PDF Resource Previews: