Multi-Language Resources, Frequently Asked Questions, Myths and Facts regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19).
How to use the COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test
Learn About the COVID-19 Vaccine
Translated Information on COVID-19
Preparing for COVID-19 Vaccination in Alberta
Halloween Safety During COVID-19
How to care for a COVID-19 patient at home
Checklists for preparation and protection from the virus
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
COVID-19 Antigen Rapid test (Rapid Response™)
Rapid Response™ COVID-19 Antigen Demonstration
The Government of Alberta also has some new information for the Education At Home Rapid Testing Program that is available in 14 languages. Click here for more information.
Vaccination is one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread and reduce the impact of infectious diseases, whether it's seasonal flu or childhood infections. A safe and effective vaccine(s) for COVID-19 will protect us against the novel coronavirus and will be an important step to safely resume normal life in Canada and around the world.
Resources explaining the vaccination process are available in many languages on the Government of Canada website. After you go to this page, you can also download the information in PDF format in 22 languages.
You can access the website here: https://www.canada.ca/en/publi...
COVID-19 resources are available in Arabic, 中文, हिंदी, 한국어, ਪੰਜਾਬੀ, Af-Soomaali, Español, Français, Tagalog, Tiếng Việt and Urdu on the Alberta Health Services website.
You can access the website here: https://www.alberta.ca/covid-1...
Immunization will be phased, starting with Phase 1 in early January, once vaccines are received. Those vaccinated in Phase 1 include long-term care and designated supported living residents and staff in those facilities, on-reserve First Nations individuals over age 65, seniors aged 75 and older, and health-care workers most needed to ensure workforce capacity and who are most likely to transmit COVID-19 to those at greatest risk.
Phase 2 is expected to begin by April 2021 and will again be targeted to prioritized populations. Phase 3 will involve rolling out vaccinations to the general Alberta population, anticipated to start by fall 2021.
Source: World Health Organization
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses which may cause illness in animals or humans. In humans, several coronaviruses are known to cause respiratory infections ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). The most recently discovered coronavirus causes coronavirus disease COVID-19
COVID-19 is the infectious disease caused by the most recently discovered coronavirus. This new virus and disease were unknown before the outbreak began in Wuhan, China, in December 2019.
People can catch COVID-19 from others who have the virus. The disease can spread from person to person through small droplets from the nose or mouth which are spread when a person with COVID-19 coughs or exhales. These droplets land on objects and surfaces around the person. Other people then catch COVID-19 by touching these objects or surfaces, then touching their eyes, nose or mouth. People can also catch COVID-19 if they breathe in droplets from a person with COVID-19 who coughs out or exhales droplets. This is why it is important to stay more than 1 meter (3 feet) away from a person who is sick.
The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, tiredness, and dry cough. Some patients may have aches and pains, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat or diarrhea. These symptoms are usually mild and begin gradually. Some people become infected but don’t develop any symptoms and don't feel unwell. Most people (about 80%) recover from the disease without needing special treatment. Around 1 out of every 6 people who gets COVID-19 becomes seriously ill and develops difficulty breathing. Older people, and those with underlying medical problems like high blood pressure, heart problems or diabetes, are more likely to develop serious illness. People with fever, cough and difficulty breathing should seek medical attention.
Studies to date suggest that the virus that causes COVID-19 is mainly transmitted through contact with respiratory droplets rather than through the air. See previous answer on “How does COVID-19 spread?”
The main way the disease spreads is through respiratory droplets expelled by someone who is coughing. The risk of catching COVID-19 from someone with no symptoms at all is very low. However, many people with COVID-19 experience only mild symptoms. This is particularly true at the early stages of the disease. It is therefore possible to catch COVID-19 from someone who has, for example, just a mild cough and does not feel ill. WHO is assessing ongoing research on the period of transmission of COVID-19 and will continue to share updated findings.
No. Antibiotics do not work against viruses, they only work on bacterial infections. COVID-19 is caused by a virus, so antibiotics do not work. Antibiotics should not be used as a means of prevention or treatment of COVID-19. They should only be used as directed by a physician to treat a bacterial infection.
Only wear a mask if you are ill with COVID-19 symptoms (especially coughing) or looking after someone who may have COVID-19. Disposable face mask can only be used once. If you are not ill or looking after someone who is ill then you are wasting a mask. There is a world-wide shortage of masks, so WHO urges people to use masks wisely.
It is not certain how long the virus that causes COVID-19 survives on surfaces, but it seems to behave like other coronaviruses. Studies suggest that coronaviruses (including preliminary information on the COVID-19 virus) may persist on surfaces for a few hours or up to several days. This may vary under different conditions (e.g. type of surface, temperature or humidity of the environment).
If you think a surface may be infected, clean it with simple disinfectant to kill the virus and protect yourself and others. Clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water. Avoid touching your eyes, mouth, or nose.
The following measures ARE NOT effective against COVID-2019 and can be harmful:
In any case, if you have fever, cough and difficulty breathing seek medical care early to reduce the risk of developing a more severe infection and be sure to share your recent travel history with your health care provided.
Source: CTV Canada
Myth:
The new coronavirus can be transmitted through products manufactured in China.
Facts:
Even though the virus can linger on surfaces for a few hours after contact, the WHO said it’s “very unlikely” it will be persist on that surface after being moved, shipped, and exposed to different conditions and temperatures. For anyone concerned a surface has been contaminated, the health agency advises cleaning it with a disinfectant. If someone has already touched it before it’s been cleaned, they should immediately wash their hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or with soap and water.
Myth:
Cold weather and snow can kill the new coronavirus.
Facts:
The WHO said there’s no reason to believe that cold weather can kill the new coronavirus or other diseases, for that matter. The health agency said external temperatures or weather don’t change the human body’s normal temperature of around 36.5 to 37 C. In addition to this, the WHO said taking a hot bath will also not prevent infection for the same reason.
Myth:
Pets can spread the new coronavirus.
Facts:
According to the WHO, there is still “no evidence” to suggest that companion animals and pets, such as dogs or cats, can be infected by the virus. Despite this, people should always wash their hands with soap after touching any pets because they could spread other bacteria, such as E. coli and salmonella.
Myth:
Eating garlic will prevent infection.
Facts:
While it may have some antimicrobial properties, the WHO said there is no evidence from the current COVID-19 outbreak to suggest that eating garlic will protect people from the virus.
Myth:
Younger people are not susceptible to COVID-19.
Facts:
Older people and those with pre-existing medical conditions, such as asthma, diabetes, and heart disease, appear to be more vulnerable to illness caused by the new coronavirus, but the WHO said people of all ages can contract it. The health agency recommends that people of all ages take precautionary measures, such as washing their hands.
Myth:
Heat can kill the virus.
Facts:
The WHO advises that heat sources, such as hand dryers, are not effective at killing the virus. Further to that, ultraviolet (UV) lamps should also not be used to sterilize hands or other areas of the body.
Myth:
Wearing a mask will protect against infection.
Facts:
The WHO only advises those with symptoms of COVID-19, particularly coughing, or those who will be in direct contact with someone who may have the virus to wear a mask. What’s more, the health body said disposable face masks can only be used once and shouldn’t be worn over and over again.“If you are not ill or looking after someone who is ill then you are wasting a mask. There is a world-wide shortage of masks, so WHO urges people to use masks wisely,” the organization said on its website. Once again, the WHO said the most effective ways for people to protect against the virus is frequent hand washing, covering their cough with the bend of the elbow or a tissue, and maintaining a distance of at least one metre from others who are coughing or sneezing.
Myth:
Antibiotics can prevent and treat the new coronavirus.
Facts:
According to the WHO, antibiotics do not work against viruses, such as COVID-19. They are only effective in working against bacteria and should not be used a means of prevention or treatment. However, someone who is treated in hospital for COVID-19 may be given antibiotics because “bacterial co-infection” is a possibility, the health agency said.
Please join us Monday August 31, 2020 for this very important and informative session designed to help you, help others prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Multilingual calendars to promote mental health!
Information on the Alberta Health Services website is available in the following languages: Arabic, French, Punjabi, Spanish, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Tigrinya, Vietnamese.
Pronunciator’s self-directed online COVID-19 language course in 101 languages teaches vocabulary (e.g. “quarantine,” “pandemic,” etc.) and phrases (e.g. “I’m having difficulty breathing,” “Is it an emergency?”, etc.) relevant to the COVID-19 crisis. 90 home languages are supported.
Emergency benefits to be made available in April for those who don't qualify for EI