COVID-19 : Information and Essential Resources

REMINDER OF 211 GREATER MONTRÉAL’S MISSION

 211 Greater Montréal’s mission is helping through information. We refer callers towards socio-community resources near their home that can meet their needs: food and material aid, homecare services, services for seniors and newcomers, support to families….you can also consult our online directory which houses 5000 socio-community organizations here: https://www.211qc.ca/en

We have prepared a non-exhaustive list for you that could be useful during this time of crisis.

Vaccination

The COVID-19 vaccination campaign is underway. For more information and to make an appointment, visit quebec.ca/vaccincovid

Useful information on COVID-19 in Québec:

https://www.quebec.ca/en/health/health-issues/a-z/2019-coronavirus/

Useful information on COVID-19 in Canada:

https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection.html

• The Québec Government’s information hotline on COVID-19 available Monday to Friday from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm: 1-877-644-4545
• The Canadian Government’s information hotline on COVID-19: 1-833-784-4397

COVID-19 and health

Many of you have been calling 211 Greater Montréal to get information on COVID-19 or to make an appointment with a clinic. We understand you are worried, however, 211 cannot answer questions related to your health nor can we make appointments for you with a COVID-19 screening clinic and we cannot ensure a psychosocial follow-up either. You must follow the guidelines established by the ministère de la Santé et des Services Sociaux (MSSS). Please call one of these two phone numbers:

1. The Québec Government’s information hotline on COVID-19 available Monday to Friday from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm: 1-877-644-4545
2. Info-Santé: 8-1-1.
3. Info-Social: 8-1-1, ext. 2.

To make an appointment with a clinic: please call 811 first. They will advise and direct you to the best resource.

Physical and mental health, prevention:

Self-care guide, published by the MSSS: https://publications.msss.gouv.qc.ca/msss/en/document-002492/

Taking care of our mental health: https://www.quebec.ca/en/health/health-issues/a-z/2019-coronavirus/stress-anxiety-and-depression-associated-with-the-coronavirus-covid-19-disease/

Symptoms to watch out for: cough, fever, difficulty breathing, sudden loss of smell and taste without nasal congestion.

Treatment: No specific treatment for COVID-19 exists right now. However, support treatments may be given.

Most people with COVID-19 recover on their own.

How to protect yourself:

• Cough into your elbow.
• Throw your tissues in the trash.
• Wash your hands.
• Isolate yourself if you have symptoms
• Keep a minimum distance of 2 metres away from others.
• 14-day isolation period for all travellers back from their trip.
• A ban of all social gatherings and a restriction on all non-essential travel.

National Institute of Public Health of Québec

Laboratory Guide FRENCH ONLY: https://www.inspq.qc.ca/lspq/repertoire-des-analyses/coronavirus-sars-cov-2covid-19-detection-taan-sur-specimen-clinique

Follow the recommendations for COVID-19 for all handling and preparing of samples to be analysed.

Help for workers, immigration and other resources:

Help for workers: 

• Canada Emergency Response Benefit Form:  https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei/cerb-application.html
• Help for workers in Québec: https://www.quebec.ca/en/government-assistance-programs-covid19/
• Temporary Aid for Workers Program: https://www.quebec.ca/en/family-and-support-for-individuals/financial-assistance/temporary-aid-for-workers-program/

Immigration:

•  Graphics and posters of health recommendations translated into 16 languages: http://www.immigration-quebec.gouv.qc.ca/en/informations/news/news-2020/covid-19-images.html
• Recommendations from the Federal Government regarding immigration, welcoming refugees and authorized entries into Canada: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/coronavirus-covid19.html
• Health news for travellers (French only): https://www.inspq.qc.ca/sante-voyage/surveillance

Volunteering and contributing:

• Je contribue: if you are a former healthcare worker able to help: https://jecontribuecovid19.gouv.qc.ca/Inscription.aspx
• Je bénévole: online platform for volunteering: https://www.jebenevole.ca/
• To give blood: https://www.hema-quebec.qc.ca/index.en.html

Other Resources:

New coronavirus (COVID-19):  Situation report

World Health Organization (WHO)

https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/situation-reports