COVID-19: Canadian Resources

This guide was created by Toronto Public Health (TPH) Library to link TPH staff to a selective list of online resources on the Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV or SARS-CoV-2) which causes COVID-19. We are grateful for our public health library colleagues across Ontario (i.e. Ontario Public Health Library Association members) who communicate regularly throughout the pandemic and share topics and resources of interest which were added to this guide.  

• Some links in this guide are from other jurisdictions. If in doubt, always follow the guidance received from your local health officials (TPH COVID or Ontario COVID information).
• As of February 11, 2020 this guide will be updated to reflect the new disease name (COVID-19)  but readers may notice that the previous name/s in earlier publications.
• Disclaimer:  This guide is for informational purposes only. Please follow the advice of your local public health officials. 
• The guide will be updated Monday - Friday.
• For comprehensive searches, research questions, or comments on the guide please email TPH library. 

• Need a comprehensive search?
• Have a research question?
• Want to recommend a resource for this guide?
• Willing to share feedback or comments?

Call: 416-338-0049

Email: TPH library. 

General Guidance Documents

• How COVID-19 Spreads
• COVID-19 - Protect Yourself
• COVID-19: How to Self-Isolate
• COVID-19 How to self-isolate (for people with no symptoms)
• COVID-19: Protect Yourself-Wash Your Hands
• COVID-19: Protect Yourself-Cover Your Cough
• COVID-19 - Keep Your Physical Distance
• COVID-19, Pregnancy, Breastfeeding, and Infant Care

Health Sector 

• Health Sector Resources
• Long-Term Care Home / Retirement Homes Resources
• Symptoms, Screening, and Testing Resources

Long Term Care Homes

• Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Preparedness Checklist for Long-Term Care Homes and Retirement Homes
• COVID-19 Outbreak Guidance for Long-Term Care Homes (LTCH)

Consumption Services

• COVID-19 Harm Reduction Tips Clean your hands
• COVID-19: Overdose Response Tips Let’s keep helping each other!
• COVID-19 Guidance: Consumption and Treatment Services (CTS)

Shelters

• How does the COVID-19 Screening Process Work for Shelters
• COVID-19 Interim Guidance for Homelessness Service Settings Providers  [TPH]
• CHECKLIST for CLIENTS BEING REFERRED FOR COVID-19 TESTING  (Shelter Support and  Housing)
• Infection Prevention and Control Tips for Homelessness Service Setting Providers
• Guidance for providers of services for people experiencing homelessness (in the context of COVID-19) [PHAC]

Various Settings

• COVID-19 Guidance for Taxi/Ride Share Employers, Drivers, Vehicle Owners
• COVID-19 Guidance for Workplaces / Businesses and Employers
• Construction site health and safety during COVID-19
• Guidance to retail food and grocery stores operating during COVID-19 (BCCDC)
• COVID-19 SCREENING PROTOCOL FOR FAMILIES WITH DEPENDENT CHILDREN

Water and Wastewater

• Online Resources for Canadian Water and Wastewater Utilities during the COV-19 Pandemic [Canadian Water Network]
• Interim Recommendations Applicable to Drinking Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant Workers [Institut national de santé publique]

Restaurants and Food Services 

• Outbreak Prevention Facility Audit [Restaurants Canada, ©Diversey]
• Cleaning and Disinfection Guidelines [Restaurants Canada, ©​Diversey]
• Blood and Body Fluid Cleaning Procedures [Restaurants Canada, ©​Diversey]
• Outbreak Prevention for Public Facilities [Restaurants Canada, ©​Diversey]

Dental

• Returning to practice: planning and considerations [Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario]

Meat and Poultry Plants

•  COVID-19: information for consumers about food safety and animal health [Canadian Food Inspection Agency]
• COVID 19: Information for industry [Canadian Food Inspection Agency]
• Meat and Poultry Processing Workers and Employers [CDC]

Death Care Services

• Interim guidance: Death care services and handling of dead bodies during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic
• Interim guidance: Management of mass fatalities during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic

City of Toronto Resources

• Fact Sheet from Toronto Public Health for workplaces
• Tips for Businesses offering curbside pickup
• Staff screening questionnaire (also available in black and white )
• Poster for retail entrances (also available in tabloid size )
• Employers can reference guidelines provided by Workplace Safety & Prevention Services

Get more health information for workplaces.

Public Pages:

• Orders, Bylaws and Directives
• Toronto Public Health Updates [Public Page] on COVID-19.
• Status of COVID-19 cases in Toronto

Toronto Public Health Media Channels:

• twitter.com/CityofToronto
• instagram.com/cityofto 
• facebook.com/cityofto

Internal (TPH) Staff Pages:

• Information for Staff [Internal Staff Page]
•  Mental Health in our Workplace [City of Toronto Staff]
• Questions and Answers [Internal Staff Page]
• Q & A [PDF, 29 January 2020]

Public Health Ontario 

• COVID-19 Data Tool [PHO] 
• PHO Laboratory Services: 2019-nCoV Testing [PHO]
• PHO Coronavirus Disease: At a Glance [PHO]
• PHO Public Resources (posters) 
• IPAC Measures for Suspected or Confirmed COVID-19 [PHO]
• Data and Surveillance [PHO]
• Daily Scan of Public Health Organizations [PHO]
• Synopsis of Key Articles [PHO]
• What We Know So Far About.... [PHO]

Ontario Ministry of Health's Novel Coronavirus page.

• COVID-19 cases in Ontario
• Online self-assessment tool
• COVID-19 action plan: protecting vulnerable Ontarians
• COVID-19 action plan: long-term care homes

• Outbreak updates on COVID 19 [PHAC]
• Canadian Data & Modelling Scenarios [PHAC]
• COVID-19 Information line: 1-833-784-4397
• Canada COVID-19 app (iOS or Android) or web version

• COVID-19: A Data Perspective [Statistics Canada]

COVID-19: Emergency Measures Tracker (by McCarthy Tetrault LLP)

COVID-19 Class Order: April 1, 2020 (MOH Order)

Please refer to the WDGPU site for the latest situational report.