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
NDP motion regarding Palestinian statehood passes after major Liberal alterations
A motion from the federal New Democrats initially calling on Canada to recognize the 'State of Palestine' passed amid widespread acrimony on Monday, after the Liberals drastically altered its wording to see the government simply work towards that aim as part of a two-state solution.
'He didn't want to die': Family of Calgary man killed in standoff speaks out
Family of a Calgary man killed after a 30-hour standoff with police last week are speaking out, sharing details of the tense and heart-wrenching experience.
Toronto family doctor who called patient's body 'perfect' suspended for 3 months: tribunal
A family doctor in Toronto has been suspended for three months after a disciplinary tribunal found that he failed to follow proper protocols while examining a patient's breasts and made inappropriate comments about her body.
Ohio mom who left toddler alone 10 days when she went on vacation pleads guilty to aggravated murder
An Ohio mother whose 16-month-old daughter died after being left home alone in a playpen for 10 days last summer while she went on vacation was sentenced Monday to life in prison with no chance of parole.
Retired teacher pleads guilty to paying for sex with 15-year-old in Collingwood, Ont.
In a Barrie courtroom on Monday, a retired high school teacher from the Niagara Region pleaded guilty to sexual touching and obtaining sexual services from a 15-year-old boy in Collingwood in 2021.
Hertz CEO out following electric car 'horror show'
The company, which announced in January it was selling 20,000 of the electric vehicles in its fleet, or about a third of the EVs it owned, is now replacing the CEO who helped build up that fleet, giving it the company’s fifth boss in just four years.
5 charged in Calgary kidnappings that targeted women
Calgary police have charged five men in a pair of kidnappings last year that targeted innocent victims.
Demand soars for solar eclipse glasses in Canada. Are they worth buying?
The demand for total solar eclipse glasses used to safely view the rare celestial event has been ramping up as sellers, along with astronomy and eye-care experts in Canada, warn that viewing the eclipse with the naked eye is dangerous.
Canadian commander of volunteer fighter group dies in Ukraine
A Canadian-born commander of the so-called Norman Brigade, a volunteer fighting group in Ukraine, has died.