COVID-19: Practical Tips for People Living in Apartments & Condos

How To Isolate or Self-Isolate in Small Apartments

  • If you live in a small space and your housemate gets sick with COVID-19, preventing the spread of disease to other inhabitants may be challenging. When possible, follow clear guidance that the sick person isolate in a separate room and bathroom and follow guidance for caregivers.

  • Anyone living with someone who is sick from COVID-19 must self-isolate and monitor for symptoms. If your apartment is too small to allow the sick individual to isolate adequately, the best option is to find alternative accommodation that allows self-isolation of the people who are not sick as well as isolation of the sick person.

  • If you develop symptoms of COVID-19 use the BC COVID-19 Self-Assessment Tool to determine if you need medical care or testing. 

  • If no other accommodation can be found: in a one bedroom apartment ask the sick individual to live in the bedroom and not go into other rooms. The others can live in the living room and kitchen. A shared bathroom must be scrubbed and disinfected after each use. When using the bathroom, the sick person must wear a mask, physical distance and wash hands before leaving the bathroom or passing through other rooms. 

  • No evidence suggests that adequate isolation can be created by using a barrier, such as a bed sheet, to divide the apartment. If you decide to do this, wear masks, wash hands often and practice physical distance. 

  • Proper handling and disposal of masks must be followed. Improperly discarded masks can transmit COVID-19.

  • Open windows to increase ventilation.

  • Close the lid of the toilet down before flushing.

  • Humans are social beings so self isolation can be hard on your mental health. Stay connected with other people in virtual ways such as phone, text, or videoconference. 

  • If you feel overwhelmed, or unable to cope while in self-isolation, use the many resources available.

    • BC Mental Health Support line: 310-6789, available 24hours/day

    • Bounceback program is a free online mental health program for youth 15+ and adults for BC residents with MSP coverage.

  • Stay informed by using good quality, accurate information such as BCCDC, Ministry of Health, WHO or Health Canada. A study from China concluded that individuals who felt well informed about COVID-19 had lower levels of depression, anxiety, and stress than the less informed. 

  • Take breaks and set limits for news and social media. Avoid following the news for a few days when you feel particularly stressed or anxious.

Maureen MayhewComment