Covid-19

Toronto’s Bay College Walk-In Clinic is now offering COVID-19 vaccines, boosters and rapid tests in addition to other common immunizations such as the flu shot and tetanus shot. Located in the heart of downtown Toronto, BCML proudly provides convenient, affordable non-emergency and preventative care.

Here we will look at everything you need to know about scheduling your COVID-19 vaccine at BCML in Toronto.

How Do I Schedule a COVID-19 Vaccine Appointment?

Bay College Walk-In Clinic offers two simple ways to make COVID vaccine appointments.

Call for Vaccine Appointments: 416-929-1900

Make an Appointment Online: Make an Appointment

Why Do I Need an Appointment for the COVID Vaccine?

Availability: Vaccines are subject to availability so an appointment ensures your vaccine will be ready when you arrive.

Wait Times: Making an appointment also ensures you will not have a long wait when you arrive for your vaccine.

Social Distancing: Additionally, scheduled appointments help us to minimize the number of people at the clinic at one time. While precautions are being taken and some restrictions may be relaxed, it is still advisable to keep crowds to a minimum and to practice safe social distancing.

Is the COVID-19 Vaccine Free?

Yes, both the vaccine and booster shots are free to anyone over the age of five.

Who Should Get the COVID-19 Booster?

Currently, it is recommended a fourth dose be administered to people over the age of 50. Additionally, persons of any age who are immunocompromised are also eligible for a fourth dose. This includes individuals who have had organ transplants, are being treated for cancer, or have any condition that suppresses or compromises their immune system.

Other more common conditions can also increase the risk of experiencing more severe COVID symptoms. These conditions include hypertension, obesity, and diabetes. Anyone with these conditions is also advised to receive a fourth shot / second booster.

Note, those who initially received the Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) vaccine and then later received a dose of Pfizer or Moderna, are also eligible for a booster. This booster will be a third shot instead of a fourth.

When Can I Get a Fourth COVID-19 Shot?

It is recommended that a second booster, or fourth shot, be administered at least four months after your first booster shot. This fourth shot will either be Pfizer or Moderna, not Janssen.

What are the Symptoms After the Second Booster?

Symptoms will vary from person to person the same way they vary after each dose of vaccine or when the virus is contracted. Redness and soreness at the injection site is one of the most common symptoms. Additionally, some people experience fatigue, headache, chills, and fever. For most, these symptoms begin within a day and also fade within a day or two after the onset.

Is the Second Booster Effective Against New Variants?

With new variants developing it is unclear what level of protection existing vaccines will provide. However, receiving your recommended vaccines and boosters can help your body prepare for known variants.

Moreover, there is no evidence that a second booster is harmful or reduces immunity. Therefore, it remains a recommended measure for anyone who is eligible.

Who Can Get the COVID-19 Test?

BCML is now offering rapid testing for asymptomatic individuals. Whether you are concerned that you may have the virus without symptoms or you require a test for travel purposes, we make it easy to get tested and stay safe.

How to Make an Appointment for a COVID-19 Rapid Test

Rapid tests are by appointment only and can be scheduled through the same methods as the vaccine and boosters.

Call for Rapid Test Appointments: 416-929-1900

Make an Appointment Online: Make an Appointment

Note: Please, select the option “Rapid Test” in the dropdown menu as your reason for your visit.

How Much Does COVID-19 Testing Cost?

Unlike the vaccine and boosters, there is a $40 charge for the test. This helps cover the costs of the test and processing.

If you are concerned about the cost and/or you are unsure if you need a test, make sure to confirm your testing requirements before booking an appointment. Depending on the type of travel you are doing and where you are traveling to can affect when the test must be administered.

Additionally, you will need to look into the protocol in the event that you test positive. Due to these variations, it is important that you have the correct information before testing.

How Long Does it Take to Get the Results of the COVID-19 Rapid Test?

As the name implies, the results are quite rapid and should only take a few minutes. Though there is an increased chance of false results, frequent rapid testing has been shown to be more beneficial than infrequent polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing.

PCR testing is more accurate but can take up to three days for results. In many cases, this extra wait time can result in additional spread especially if the person does not have symptoms.

What Vaccines Can I Get from a Walk-In Clinic?

Along with the Covid-19 vaccine and boosters, you can also receive a range of other common vaccines at Bay College Walk-In Clinic. This includes the flu vaccine and DTaP vaccine for tetanus.

While many vaccines are available year round, some may be in shorter supply or have higher volume during certain times of the year. For example, the flu vaccine is more readily on hand in the fall and winter months.

Therefore, we ask you to make an appointment before coming in for any vaccine and calling ahead to ensure the vaccine you need is available.

Schedule Your COVID-19 Vaccine, Booster or Rapid Test

BCML is here to help get and keep you healthy. Along with scheduled vaccines, we also offer walk-in treatment for non-emergency conditions. Additionally, our clinic also provides diagnostic testing and imaging, dental care, physical therapy, and prescriptions at our on site pharmacy.

To schedule an appointment for your vaccine or to explore any of our other care services, call us at 416-929-1900 or Make an Appointment online.

Although we have seen many communities making great strides in reducing risks and infection rates, Coronavirus continues to play a major role in our everyday lives. As the initial shock of the virus begins to wear off, many of us are looking for ways to further safeguard our health while also understanding more about the illness that has forced us to rethink our healthcare system and the way we work. 

Here we will offer a physician’s guide to Coronavirus to give the best and most up to date information about the virus and how it spreads. Though we continue to learn new information about COVID-19, the following is established general information about coronaviruses and the most current information on COVID-19. 

Basic Terminology: Is Coronavirus the same as COVID-19?

As we explore the guide to coronavirus, it is important to understand that coronavirus is a catchall term that refers to multiple viruses that have the same “crowned” feature. This group of viruses get their name from the spikes covering the virus cells which resemble a corona, the Latin word for “crown.” 

The name of the specific coronavirus that has caused the current pandemic is SARS-CoV-2. Think of it this way, if these viruses were a product, coronaviruses would be “tissues” while SARS-CoV-2 is the brand name Kleenex.  

COVID-19 is the actual disease caused by SARS-CoV-2. If we continue with our tissue analogy, COVID-19 would be like the raw, chapped nose and lips you might get from Kleenex when you have to blow your nose too often. 

Symptoms of Coronavirus: Asymptomatic Vs. Presymptomatic 

Some people who contract SARS-CoV-2 will not show symptoms of the disease but will be able to pass it to others. These people are “asymptomatic” meaning the virus is detected but symptoms will never form in that individual. 

This is not to be confused with people who are “presymptomatic.” Presymptomatic means a person has contracted a virus but has not developed symptoms yet. If you are asymptomatic, you may never know if you had the virus at all, while presymptomatic people will see the symptoms of the virus within a matter of days.  

Currently, evidence suggests that both Asymptomatic and Presymptomatic people can pass the virus.  This is why it is critical for every individual to take precautions such as wearing face masks and proper, frequent hand washing. Unless you have tested negative for the virus, there is no guarantee that you do not have it or that you are unable to pass it to others. Also, some tests for the virus may be reliable. Therefore, even this is not an absolute guarantee that you are not contagious.

Transmission: How is the Virus Passed? 

There are still some questions about how the virus is transmitted but there have been strides made in determining the risk level of certain activities like handling packages and pinpointing which bodily fluids are able to transmit the virus. 

Bodily Fluids that Contain the COVID-19 Virus

As COVID-19 is a respiratory illness, research has found there to be a concentration of the virus cells in respiratory droplets. In the plainest terms, this means mucus and saliva coming from the nose or mouth are the most likely way for the virus to spread.  

However, the virus has also been found in blood (plasma) and stool samples as well. Research is still limited and it is not guaranteed that the virus will not be transmitted through other non-respiratory fluids including semen, vomit or urine. 

How Other Coronaviruses Behave in Bodily Fluids

To further understand why we must be careful with all bodily fluids at this point, we look to how other coronaviruses are transmitted. For example, MERS-Cov is only transmitted through respiratory droplets. 

In contrast, SARS-Cov, which was the cause of the SARS outbreak in 2002-03, was found to be viable in urine, blood, and stool along with respiratory droplets. 

How Easily is COVID-19 Spread?

Current research suggests that the COVID-19 virus spreads more easily than previous viruses like SARS-Cov. The most likely reason for this is that the highest concentrations of the virus will be found directly after the first symptoms develop. This is an important distinction from SARS-Cov where sufferers had the highest concentrations of the virus later in their illness. 

Because COVID-19 patients have more of the virus early on, it is more likely that they will spread it during the period when they do not feel as if they are sick.  This is, again, why presymptomatic transmission is of great concern. 

Will Symptoms Get Worse?

The slow development of symptoms and the long incubation periods are also why you should monitor your health and symptoms closely. For many patients, symptoms can start out mild in the first week but then advance in the second week of illness. 

While the majority of patients will still not need hospitalization, worsening symptoms later in the illness is when you are most likely to need professional care. Trouble breathing is the biggest indicator that a patient requires medical intervention. Also, difficulty thinking and staying awake are indicators along with pain in the chest that persists.

Can the Virus be Spread by Touching Surfaces?

This seems to be the million-dollar question. While avoiding other people has been difficult, avoiding touching surfaces such as delivery boxes has proven even more daunting for many of us. 

Fortunately, according to the Mayo Clinic, the risk of contracting the virus from surfaces is low and there have been no reported cases of the virus spreading this way. The best defence against this small possibility is to wash your hands thoroughly and to disinfect surfaces that are touched by multiple people, such as doorknobs. 

Can it Spread Through Food?

Both food and water seem to be safe from spreading the disease. However, as an extra precaution, wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly and handle takeout containers with care. The Mayo Clinic recommends washing your hands after touching takeout containers then moving the contents to a clean plate and disposing of the container. Wash your hands once more before eating. 

These extra precautions are, again, not considered necessary. However, proper handwashing and safe food handling is a good idea even without COVID-19 as a concern.

Can You Get COVID-19 Twice? 

The answer to this is still not clear. Currently, there is not enough evidence to determine if it is possible to get COVID-19 twice. Immunity to the disease is not guaranteed nor is the duration of the immunity. Based on similar illnesses, there is a possibility that a person could be immune for a certain amount of time but will then become susceptible again.

Because of this, even people who have recovered from the illness should continue to practice safety measures. This includes social distancing and wearing personal protective equipment when appropriate. 

Managing and Diagnosing Symptoms of COVID-19

Do you suspect you may have COVID-19? BCML physicians are here to help you manage and diagnose symptoms of COVID-19 and your total health. While the current pandemic is at the top of most people’s concerns, it is important to take your total health into consideration. 

Managing chronic illnesses and performing preventative care can help keep you healthy if you do contract the virus. To help you, we offer telephone consultations during this difficult period. To schedule an appointment, contact us via 416-929-1900 today!

As the COVID-19 pandemic unfolds, we have all heard the phrase “unprecedented times” more often than we can count. Even though the words may have begun to lose impact, they are still true. We are living in a time that is completely unlike anything else anyone living has experienced in their lifetime. 

For many of us, our daily lives are filled with news of the pandemic and it can be scary. It is not only scary for what could happen but because there is no clear instruction on the best ways to stay healthy.

While COVID-19 remains a new virus with much to be discovered, we do have knowledge of the best ways to protect ourselves and others during a pandemic. Here we will discuss these methods to help keep you safe and to reduce the stress and anxiety of uncertainty.  

Wash Your Hands

It almost sounds too simple to be effective, but washing your hands is one of the best ways to combat the spread of viruses like COVID-19. If you are wondering how to keep healthy during a pandemic, this is the first thing to know. It’s the most preached rule at every walk-in clinic in Canada.

According to the British Columbia Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC), roughly 80% of common infections are spread through touch. Proper handwashing has been proven to dramatically reduce the chances of transmission. 

Proper Hand Washing

Not all handwashing routines are created equally. To optimize the benefits of handwashing, BCCDC recommends applying soap and water then rubbing your hands together for at least 20 seconds. 20 seconds may seem long, but this gives you enough time to properly create friction and cover all parts of your hands: palms, back of hands, between your fingers, wrists and under your nails.  When turning off the tap, it is recommended that you use a paper towel to avoid recontamination. 

Hand Sanitizer

While handwashing with soap and water is still the most effective cleansing method, hand sanitizer with 60% or higher alcohol content can be a great substitute.  

To use hand sanitizer effectively, you should apply a generous amount of the solution to cover your hands completely. Continue to rub your hands together until the solution has completely evaporated. Doing this regularly will keep you safe from viruses and help you manage your health during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Hand sanitizers are best used on dry hands with no visible dirt or grease. Having any substance on your hands before applying the sanitizer will reduce its effectiveness. 

When to Wash Your Hands

The short answer to this is, when in doubt wash your hands. However, to keep healthy during a pandemic these are the most important times to wash your hands: 

• Before and after handling food 
• Before eating or drinking
• Before touching your face, nose or mouth
• After blowing your nose or coughing into your hand
• After touching any public surface 
• After using the restroom
• Before and after touching someone else

Nevertheless, these guidelines should be practiced at all times to keep yourself protected against viruses, though they are highly encouraged during this pandemic. 

Practice Social Distancing

A few months ago, “social distancing” was an unknown phrase for most of us. Now, it has become a tip to protect your health during this pandemic. But what is social distancing and how can you do it effectively?

Social or physical distancing is, in short, maintaining at least 2 meters of space between yourself and other people. 2 meters is the minimum distance required to reduce the chances of virus transmission from one person to another through a sneeze or cough. 

What about people you live with? Ideally, members of a household will remain in isolation together and minimize outside exposure. However, if this is not possible, there are ways to reduce the chance of spread within a household.  

To protect your health, it is essential that each member of the household observes basic precautions. These pandemic related precautions include wearing a face mask in public, washing hands frequently and avoiding crowded places. 

Secondly, if one member of the household shows signs of illness, they should do their best to quarantine in one room or area of the home. Other members of the household should minimize contact with the sick person and use masks, gloves and sanitation measures to further reduce risk. 

Practice Social Media Distancing 

While we should strive to use digital social tools to stay in touch, social media can also negatively impact mental health. Even when there are less overwhelming outside factors working against us, a scroll through social media can make us feel as if we are missing out or that everyone else’s lives are going better. 

Add in the alarming news stories, conspiracy theories, and fighting between other people. You will find that social media can easily make you feel worse. In fact, a recent study showed that social media can even make you feel more lonely – the exact opposite effect that we are trying to achieve during these difficult times.

Instead of scrolling through your newsfeed for the 80th time today, set up a chat with friends on Skype, Zoom or even just a phone call for that retro communication feel. No matter how you use social media, be mindful of how it is making you feel and take a break when it gets to be too much. 

Be Mindful of Mental Health 

If social distancing and worry over the pandemic have you feeling sad, lonely or overwhelmed, you are not alone. While physical safety and well-being are at the top of everyone’s priorities, reducing stress can help your immune response too. It can also help you to avoid engaging in unhealthy coping mechanisms like overeating and drinking, both of which can negatively impact your ability to fight off a virus. 

Fortunately, there are a variety of strategies to help each of us cope in a healthy way. Canada’s Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) offers a comprehensive resource list for addressing stress and well-being during the pandemic. 

Some general ways to help yourself feel better is to prioritize things like eating healthy and getting exercise whenever possible. However, if you are finding it difficult to either find the time or the will to engage in self-care, it could be time to seek professional mental healthcare. AMH also offers a resource guide to seeking telehealth appointments with psychologists and psychiatrists. 

Practice Preventative Care and Management of Medical Conditions

With so many changes, it can be difficult to think about anything but COVID-19. However, it is more important than ever to take care of your preexisting conditions and to seek preventative care. Chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension are especially important to manage. 

Controlling blood sugar and blood pressure will help you better fight off the virus if you come in contact with it. This will also help you avoid emergency situations that can develop when chronic diseases are left unchecked. 

Here are key ways to manage your health during a pandemic: 

Take Prescription Medication

If you currently pick up your prescription, consider having it delivered to you instead. This will help you avoid going out and ensure that you have an adequate supply. Doctors are also allowing for 90-day supplies of many drugs, thus reducing the number of times you might need to renew a prescription. 

If you are still getting 30-day refills, contact your doctor to see if this can be changed. It is also important to leave plenty of time to get your refills. It is recommended that you contact your doctor or pharmacy at least a week in advance before you run out of a prescription. This will leave time in case the pharmacy does not have a supply or if the prescription needs to be mailed to you. 

Make Diet and Exercise a Priority

While it might be tempting to give up on exercise and start eating junk food while you are stuck inside, this can make you feel worse. Processed foods high in sugar and salt can negatively impact both our moods and energy levels. Instead, aim to get the majority of your calories from things like fruits, vegetables and lean proteins. 

Additionally, regular exercise can be key to managing your health during this pandemic. Try to incorporate exercise in a fun, manageable way. For some, this might include walking around your neighbourhood or a local park. Remember to take your face mask and maintain at least 2 meters of distance from any other people out enjoying the day.

Interactive video games, deep cleaning your home and even just dancing around the house can all be counted towards your daily exercise goals – trying to stay active does not need to be a boring or stressful task! 

Seek out Telehealth Appointments

Managing preexisting and preventative care can seem daunting when social distancing. However, telehealth appointments make it easier than ever. With telehealth, your doctor will engage with you over the phone and/or over a video chat. While an in-person visit may be required for certain conditions, telehealth is a safe, simple way to get prescription refills, discuss health concerns and more. 

Are you looking for ways to manage your health during the pandemic? BCML offers convenient telehealth appointments for new and existing patients. To check appointment times, contact us at 416-929-1900.

Is every sniffle or cough causing you to panic thinking you might have Covid-19? If so, you are not alone. Thousands of Canadians have been searching Google for information on coronavirus symptoms since the first case was reported earlier this year. While the virus is a real threat and should be taken seriously, taking precautions and being informed can help keep you calm and safe. Here, we’ll discuss coronavirus symptoms, when to see a doctor, and top tips for staying healthy. 

What are the Coronavirus Symptoms?

Much is still being learned about Covid-19 including why it causes severe, life-threatening issues in some patients but only mild symptoms in others. According to the CDC, there are coronavirus symptoms that are most commonly experienced or associated with the virus, these include:

• Difficulty tasting and smelling
• Difficulty breathing and/or shortness of breath
• Cough
• Fever and chills 
• Muscle pains and headaches
• Painful sore throat

When should I seek medical help for Coronavirus Symptoms?

With our hospitals working to keep up with new Covid-19 patients, it is best to avoid going to the hospital if you can. However, if you experience more extreme symptoms, it is time to seek professional help. Severe symptoms include:

• Difficulty thinking and confusion
• Difficulty breathing 
• Chest pain, heaviness or pressure that does not go away
• A bluish tint to your lips or face (could indicate you are not getting oxygen) 

How to Seek Help for Covid-19 Symptoms

If you are experiencing extreme symptoms, it is time to call 911 and/or go to the hospital. Worsening symptoms, extreme difficulty breathing and a fever that won’t break could all be worth a trip to the emergency room.

However, if you are not experiencing emergency symptoms, it is best to call your primary care physician. They can discuss your symptoms over the phone and advise you on next steps. Whenever possible, call ahead before you go into the doctor’s office. 

Your doctor can advise you on whether or not it is necessary for you to go to the emergency or give you treatment options you can do at home. If the physician advises you to stay home, this limits the spread of the virus and lessens the number of people that can be infected by you.

Best Tips for Avoiding Coronavirus Symptoms

Ideally, the most effective way to avoid coronavirus is to stay home and avoid other people. However, if you must go out, there are preventative measures that will help keep you and others safe. These include: 

• Use hand sanitizer properly: Hand sanitizer is best reserved for when you do not have access to soap and water which are more effective at killing the virus. To use sanitizer properly, make sure to cover every part of your hands and rub it into your skin until the sanitizer is fully dry. 
• Wear a mask: Ideally, an N95 mask is the most effective at preventing the spread of Covid-19. However, any mask works better than no mask at all. Wearing a mask will not only help reduce your chances of contracting the virus but also prevent you from spreading the disease if you have it. 
• Wash your hands properly: You should wash your hands frequently especially after handling items outside your home and before you eat or drink anything. To wash your hands properly, fully lather soap over both hands for 20 seconds before rinsing. 
• Avoid touching your face: The virus spreads by entering through your mouth or nose. It is good practice to wash your hands before touching your face.  
• Give people space: if you absolutely cannot avoid going out, practice social and physical distancing by staying a safe distance (2 meters) away from others. 

Staying Safe at the Grocery Store

Navigating the world during the age of Covid-19 can be overwhelming. One of the ways many of us are coping and staying safe is by stocking up on our favourite foods and staying home as much as possible. 

However, could the groceries themselves be exposing you to the virus? Environmental science and microbiology expert, Kristen Gibson PH.D. weighs in on the debate over the safety of food and food packaging when trying to avoid the virus. 

Can the virus live on foods and food packaging? Gibson says that there is a very low risk of infection from touching a contaminated object such as a canned good, plastic bag or any other items associated with shopping. This is because Covid-19 is a respiratory virus and has an outer layer that is highly susceptible to drying out. 

“Once the lipid bilayer is damaged, the virus is no longer infectious,” says Gibson who also addressed the claim that the virus can live on a surface for hours or days. “These reports come from testing done in an ideal environment for the virus to survive.” 

A grocery store, which tends to have relatively low humidity, will quickly dry out the virus if an object has been touched by an infected person. However, while you are unlikely to contract the virus by touching an object, Gibson does recommend washing your hands when you get home from the grocery store and avoiding touching your face until you have done so. 

Other grocery tips include:

• Limit your trips to the store: person to person is still the primary way the virus is spread, so try to minimize the times you are out in public. 
• Observe social distancing at the store: Gibson recommends staying at least 2 meters away from other shoppers just as you would in any other public space. 
• Don’t use reusable grocery bags: Reusable grocery bags are often not washable and can become a potential source of carrying the virus. 
• Wash produce with water NOT soap: It can seem logical to scrub down produce with soap, but water will do just as good of a job at cleaning your fruits and veggies without the risk of getting sick from ingesting soap. 
• Wash your hands: While the chances of contracting the virus from packaging are low, Gibson recommends washing your hands when you get home from the grocery store and also disinfecting your counters where you may have set grocery bags down. 
• Wiping down packaging is optional: Again, it is unlikely that the virus will live on the packaging, but it is safe to wipe an outer package with a disinfectant wipe if you prefer to. 
• Write out a shopping list: For your safety and others, it is important to minimize your time in the store. You can do this by preparing a list to help you move through the store quickly. 

Treatment and Diagnosis of Covid-19

Currently, the only way to confirm that you have Covid-19 versus the flu or any other illness is by a swab test. However, for mild cases, it is more important to do what you can to treat your symptoms at home. 

Currently, there is no cure for Covid-19, so managing symptoms and discomfort is the primary goal. Fortunately, most cases will be mild enough that the symptoms will go away on their own. To manage coronavirus symptoms, you should treat them like you would other viruses. This includes getting rest, drinking fluids, and taking an over the counter fever reducer if you are running a fever. 

Your doctor may be able to prescribe something for aches, pains and/or fever. If you suspect you have Covid-19, it is best to start with a call to your doctor.

Telehealth Consultations for Coronavirus Symptoms 

With social distancing being our best tool in fighting the spread of Covid-19, over-the-phone doctor consultations can get you the help you need without leaving the house.

BCML is offering telehealth consultations Monday through Friday from 11 am to 5 pm. We welcome you to contact us at 416-929-1900 to schedule an appointment. If your symptoms are severe and you are having difficulty breathing, visit or contact your nearest hospital.