How to get tested for COVID-19 in Ontario during the fourth wave
Testing infrastructure in Ontario has been adapting to meet people’s needs since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, and now, amid a fourth wave, it’s as important as ever.
CTV News Toronto has compiled a list of how you can get a COVID-19 test in Ontario.
PUBLIC ASYMPTOMATIC TESTING
How does it work?
- Asymptomatic people can get this test for free at select pharmacy locations if they are eligible.
- Those eligible can fill out a screen request form on the pharmacy’s website to get an appointment for the free test or they can contact a pharmacy over the phone.
- The province has a database of all asymptotic testing locations on their website.
Whos eligible?
- People who are working, living in, or visiting a long-term care home, homeless shelter or retirement home.
- International students who have completed their 14-day quarantine, farmworkers and Indigenous peoples.
- Youth and staff who plan to attend overnight summer camps in 2021, people travelling into remote Indigenous communities for work and children and staff at child care settings.
When do results come back?
- Most results are ready 24 to 48 hours after the test. The wait time for the results may be longer or shorter.
COVID-19 ASSESSMENT CENTRE TESTING
How does it work?
- Ontario residents can be tested for the novel coronavirus for free at any provincial assessment centre.
- Information about how to book an appointment and find an assessment centre is available on the province’s website.
Who’s eligible?
- People with any COVID-19 symptoms and those who have been exposed to the disease can get a test done at any provincial assessment centre.
- Workers, residents and visitors at long-term care homes and other congregate settings.
- Farmworkers, Indigenous peoples, staff in child care settings and those in need of testing for surgery or for other medical reasons.
When do results come back?
- Most results are ready 24 to 48 hours after the test. The wait time for the results may be longer or shorter.
RAPID COVID-19 ANTIGEN TESTS
How does it work?
- Select pharmacies offer rapid COVID-19 antigen tests. People can visit Shoppers Drug Mart’s website to find locations offering the screening and can phone to book an appointment.
- The test costs $40.
- The pharmacy advises that rapid COVID-19 antigen tests are not used to officially diagnose COVID-19, so it’s different from a COVID-19 test.
- A rapid COVID-19 antigen screen may identify the presence of antigens in a person’s body, and the results come within minutes. This may indicate that a person may have an active COVID-19 infection, but a follow-up COVID-19 PCR test is needed to confirm a COVID-19 diagnosis.
Who’s eligible?
- People who are asymptomatic, who have not recently been exposed to a person with COVID-19 and who have not travelled recently outside of Canada.
- People who have not previously tested positive for COVID-19.
- People who have not recently been advised to get tested by the COVID-19 app.
When do results come back?
- The results typically come back in 15 to 20 minutes.
INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL COVID-19 TESTING
How does it work?
- At a number of pharmacies, including Shoppers Drug Mart, COVID-19 testing is available at select locations for asymptomatic individuals who require a negative COVID-19 test for an upcoming international flight.
- The cost for the test is typically around $200. Most pharmacies allow people to book the test through their website or by phone.
Who’s eligible?
- You must have an upcoming international flight and can provide flight details as confirmation.
- You must not have been exposed to anyone with COVID-19 recently, you must be asymptotic, and you must not have travelled outside the country in the past 14 days.
- You must also not have tested positive for COVID-19 previously and must not have been advised to be tested through the COVID-19 exposure app.
When do results come back?
- Results will typically be available within 48 hours.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'The root cause': Canada outlines national action plan to fight auto theft
The federal government is launching what it calls its 'national action plan' to combat auto thefts, which will include stronger penalties for thieves, and increased information sharing between police agencies, government officials and border enforcement.
What is BORG drinking, and why is it a dangerous trend? An expert explains
If you've been to a party lately and haven't seen someone drinking a BORG, you're likely not partying with college students.
The world's best airline is paying staff a bonus of 8 months' salary
Singapore Airlines will reward its employees with a bonus worth nearly eight months of salary, a person familiar with the matter told CNN on Friday.
Prosecution rests in Donald Trump’s hush money case. The defence now gets its turn to call witnesses
Michael Cohen testified Monday that he stole tens of thousands of dollars from his ex-boss Donald Trump’s company, an admission defence lawyers hope to use to undermine Cohen’s credibility.
Red Lobster probes 'endless shrimp' losses after bankruptcy filing
U.S.-based restaurant chain Red Lobster has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in a Florida court after securing $100 million in financing commitments from its existing lenders, the company said on Sunday.
'Next man up': Canucks coach, teammates bracing for Game 7 without Brock Boeser
Questions about how the team is going to handle the absence of star winger Brock Boeser from a do-or-die game seven dominated pre-game interviews with the Vancouver Canucks coach and players Monday morning.
Katy Perry sings goodbye to 'American Idol'
Katy Perry said her goodbyes on 'American Idol' after seven seasons. On Sunday night’s live 'idol' season finale, a medley of Perry's hit songs were performed, including 'Teenage Dream,' 'Dark Horse' and 'California Gurls.'
U.S. Supreme Court rejects appeal from former Guantanamo detainee Omar Khadr
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday rejected an appeal by a Canadian-born former Guantanamo detainee who was seeking to wipe away his war crimes convictions, including for killing a U.S. soldier in Afghanistan.
Woman, 35, in critical condition after her truck collided with a Via Rail train near Montreal
A 35-year-old woman is in critical condition after the pick-up truck she was driving was struck by a Via Rail passenger train Monday morning in Quebec's Monteregie region.