Students feeling unwell with cold, flu and/or COVID-19 like symptoms should consider the following:
- Monitor symptom severity and connect with a health care professional for persistent and worsening symptoms
- Contact Health and Counselling Services at (613) 520-6674 to make a virtual appointment with a member of their medical team (Monday to Friday 8:30am – 4:30pm)
- For suspected symptoms of or possible exposure to COVID-19, students should complete a Self-Assessment and/or contact Ottawa Public Health. Students advised to get tested for COVID-19 should follow public health guidelines and visit a Testing Centre.
- Students needing support outside of Health and Counselling Services’ regular business hours for a non-life-threatening medical issue that requires immediate attention, can consider attending a walk-in clinic to see a doctor without making an appointment. It is recommended that international students visit one of the Preferred Provider Network clinics to avoid extra fees not covered by the University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP). It is not mandatory to use a ‘preferred provider’; however, it is convenient as there is no immediate out-of-pocket expense to students with a valid UHIP card.
- Students are reminded to only seek medical attention from emergency services (i.e. by attending a hospital emergency room) if you believe you have a serious medical condition or acute injury. In Canada, waiting times to see doctors in the hospital are based on the severity of the medical condition, and emergency rooms are usually very busy and waiting times can be very long.