COVID-19 Resources for Health Care Providers

Quick Links

• COVID-19 Case Definition
• COVID-19 Guidance Documents
• COVID-19 Vaccine Information
• COVID-19 Vaccine Order Forms
• COVID-19 Screening and Assessment
• COVID-19 Testing
• COVID-19 Reporting
• Routine Auditing
• Signage

COVID-19 Case Definition

Refer to COVID-19 Case Definition, Ontario. Check frequently for updates.

Key guidance documents for health care providers

• COVID-19 Self Assessment Tool
• COVID-19 Guidance on Personal Protective Equipment for Health Care Workers and Health Care Entities
• Sector-based Guidance Documents for Healthcare (Ministry of Health)
• COVID-19 Interim Guidance: Omicron Surge Management of Critical Staffing Shortages in High-Risk Settings (Ministry of Health)

Guidance documents for Long-Term Care and Retirement Homes

• Ministry of Health:
  • COVID-19 Guidance: Long-Term Care Homes, Retirement Homes, and Other Congregate Living Settings for Public Health Units
  • COVID-19 Guidance: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for Health Care Workers and Health Care Entities
  • Screening Tool for Long-Term Care Homes and Retirement Homes  
  • Revocation of CMOH Directives #1, #2.1, #3, #4, #5
• Ministry of Long-Term Care:
  • Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Information for the Long-Term Care (LTC) Sector
  • Minister’s Directive: COVID-19 response measures for long-term care homes
• Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility:
  • COVID-19 Guidance Document for Retirement Homes in Ontario
• Public Health Agency of Canada:
  • Infection prevention and control for COVID-19: Interim guidance for long-term care homes
• Public Health Ontario
  • COVID-19 Long-Term Care Resources – Checklists, presentations, fact sheets and more

Vaccine Order and Reporting Forms

• Vaccine Order Form - Oxford Primary Care Providers
• Vaccine Order Form - Oxford Long Term Care and Retirement Homes
• End of Day Reporting Form - Oxford
• Vaccine Order Form - Elgin St. Thomas Primary Care Providers
• Vaccine Order Form - Elgin St. Thomas Long Term Care and Retirement Homes
• End of Day Reporting Form - Elgin St. Thomas

COVID-19 Vaccine Information

• Ministry of Health - COVID-19 Vaccine-Relevant Information and Planning (Updated Resources)
• Health Canada - Reported Side Effects Following COVID-19 Vaccination in Canada (Weekly)
• Public Health Ontario - COVID-19 Vaccines (includes AEFI Reporting and Surveillance Reports)
• NACI (National Advisory Committee on Immunizations) - Recommendations on the use of COVID-19 Vaccine 
• NACI - Statements and Publications (General)
• Other Relevant Vaccine Information & Forms: 
• Ministry of Health - Vaccine Under 5 Healthcare Provider Q&A Guide
• Ontario Family Physicians - COVID-19 Vaccine for Under 5 Q&A Guide
• SWPH: Aftercare Sheet for Ages 5+ // SWPH: Simplified Version with Graphics

COVID-19 Vaccine Medical Exemptions

Southwestern Public Health will only receive requests for COVID-19 vaccine medical exemptions from registered health care professionals. Click here for the medical exemption form. Completed forms must be faxed to 519-633-0468 and make take up to 7 business days to adjudicate the request.

Please refer to the guidance document before completing a request.  

COVID-19 Screening and Assessment

• COVID-19 Online Self-Assessment Tool
• COVID-19 Patient Screening Guidance Document
• COVID-19 Reference Document for Symptoms

COVID-19 Testing

Downloadable Template: Proof of Negative Antigen Test for Physicians in Long-Term Care Settings

• Ministry of Health Testing Guidance
  • COVID-19 Reference Document for Symptoms
  • COVID-19 Provincial Testing Guidance Update
• COVID-19 Sample Collection
  • Submitting a Sample (COVID-19 Requisition)
  • COVID-19 Test Requisition (How to Complete)
  • Collecting a NP Swab (Video)
  • Ordering Supplies 

COVID-19 Outpatient Antiviral Treatments

• Clinical Use Guidance (Ontario Science Table)
• Elgin/St. Thomas Referrals: St. Thomas-Elgin General Hospital - Patients may be referred by their primary care provider or be directed to/chose to self-refer by calling 519-631-2020 ext. 6210. Paxlovid Prescription Form 
• Additional Option for Referrals: London Health Sciences Centre - Paxlovid Referral Form; Prescription Form
• Nirmatrelvir/Ritonavir (Paxlovid): What Prescribers and Pharmacists Need to Know (Ontario Science Table)
• Script to support staff in identifying patients who may be eligible for treatment (Health Quality Ontario)
• Paxlovid monograph (Health Canada)

COVID-19 Reporting

Call Southwestern Public Health:

Toll Free: 1-800-922-0096
St. Thomas Site: 519-631-9900
Woodstock Site: 519-421-9901

• COVID-19 ARI Reportable Disease Form - Fillable (PDF)
• COVID-19 ARI Reportable Disease Form - Print (PDF)

Routine Auditing

• Auditing tool (Public Health Ontario)
• Hand Hygiene Auditing Information (Public Health Ontario)
• PPE Auditing Information (Public Health Ontario)

Additional resources

• Ministry of Health COVID-19 Website
• Public Health Ontario: COVID-19 Health Care Resources
• Public Health Ontario: Synopsis of Key Articles COVID-19
• Public Health Ontario: Daily Literature Review
• Ontario College of Family Physicians
• Coping with Stress
• Tip Sheets for higher-risk and essential occupations and industries (Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety)