Google Translate Disclaimer

Translation on this website is provided by Google Translate, a third-party automated translator tool. The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of translations performed by Google Translate, or for any issues or damages resulting from its use.

print header

Infectious Diseases

COVID-19 Community Risk Level

The purpose of the COVID-19 Community Risk Level is to help you determine the best ways to protect yourself and others from COVID-19 infection and serious illness. At this time, COVID-19 continues to circulate in our communities. Risk of infection, severe illness and death, particularly for those who are at most risk of developing severe illness, increases as community, personal and situational risk increases.

It is important that everyone use multiple layers of protection to reduce the risk of becoming ill and protect those closest to us. These include:

  • Get vaccinated for COVID-19 as soon as the vaccine is available to you. 
  • Stay home if you are sick with any symptoms of COVID-19, cold or flu.
  • Wash your hands often.
  • Consider wearing a tight-fitting, well-constructed or medical mask in indoor public places, especially if you are at higher risk of severe infection or are in close contact with someone at greater risk.

For optimal viewing of the COVID-19 Community Risk dashboard, click here to open in a new window.

It is important to know your risk of getting severe illness from COVID-19, as well as the risks of people you live with and spend time with. Knowing when you and/or others have increased risk of severe illness will help you decide what added layers of protection are needed to protect yourself and others.

It is recommended that people who are at greater risk of severe illness from COVID-19 AND members of their household take extra precautions and add additional layers of protection as situational risks increase.

If you have increased risk of severe illness, talk to your healthcare provider about whether you are eligible for antiviral treatment if you do get COVID-19.

Risk factors that increase the chance of becoming seriously ill if infected with COVID-19 include:

  • being unvaccinated against COVID-19. One of the best ways to protect yourself from getting serious illness, hospitalization and death from COVID-19 is to get vaccinated and stay up to date with recommended vaccinations.
  • 60 years of age and older
  • immunocompromised or are taking immunosuppressant medications
  • pregnant or recently gave birth
  • obesity (BMI of 30 or more)
  • diabetes
  • heart disease, hypertension, congestive heart failure
  • chronic respiratory disease, including cystic fibrosis
  • cerebral palsy
  • developmental disability or intellectual disability (e.g., down syndrome, fetal alcohol syndrome)
  • Sickle cell disease
  • kidney disease
  • liver disease (for example, Child Pugh Class B or C cirrhosis).

Each situation you are in has different risks of COVID-19 spreading. Increase the layers of protection you use when planning to be in situations that increase your risk of getting COVID-19.

Situations with more risk of COVID-19 spreading include those where:

  • People you are interacting with are unvaccinated or not up to date with all recommended vaccinations.
  • People you are interacting with are more vulnerable to contracting COVID-19.
  • The space will be crowded or people will be in close contact (less than 2 metres apart).
  • You will be in close physical contact with people for more than 15 minutes.
  • The activity is inside and the windows and doors are closed.
  • None or few of the people in the space wear a mask.
Did you find what you were looking for today?
What did you like about this page?
How can we improve this page?
Page
Feedback

If you have any questions or concerns that require a response, please contact Health Connection directly.

Thanks for your feedback.
Failed to submit comment. Please try submitting again or contact us at the Health Unit.
Comment already submitted ...