Ontario expands eligibility for COVID-19 testing to include pregnant people, first responders and unvaccinated seniors
The province of Ontario widened access to free PCR COVID-19 testing last week, making eligible pregnant people, select unvaccinated adults over the age of 70, and first responders.
The new guidance from the Ministry of Health published on Jan. 13 states that for the first time in two weeks, all of the above groups as well as household contacts of essential health care and congregate care workers can now get a free PCR test if they show symptoms consistent with COVID-19.
The new guidance says that in order to be eligible for free PCR testing, adults age 70+ (or 60+ for Indigenous adults and those with “additional” risk factors), they must also be considered for some form of outpatient treatment for COVID-19, such as Budesonside, Fluvoxamine, or soon, Paxlovid.
On Dec. 30, 2021, testing was limited to the hospitalized, health care and congregate care workers, homeless people, Indigenous Ontario residents, those identified in outbreak investigations and public school students in very select circumstances.
Officials at the time said the narrowing of access was needed after the testing network became overwhelmed due to the Omicron variant, with a backlog of more than 100,000 specimens awaiting processing around the New Year.
Since then, testing volumes have fallen considerably.
On Monday, the province reported processing just 38,700 tests, down from 40,000-60,000 through the previous week.
Prior to Dec. 30, 2021, PCR testing was available for free for virtually anyone in the province who showed symptoms or had contact with a previously identified case.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's plane lands near Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's plane landed in West Palm Beach, Fla., this evening, not far from where incoming U.S. president Donald Trump's transition team is based at his Mar-a-Lago estate. The Prime Minister's Office is refusing to comment on whether the two are meeting.
'Mayday! Mayday! Mayday!': Details emerge in Boeing 737 incident at Montreal airport
New details suggest that there were communication issues between the pilots of a charter flight and the control tower at Montreal's Mirabel airport when a Boeing 737 made an emergency landing on Wednesday.
Hit man offered $100,000 to kill Montreal crime reporter covering his trial
Political leaders and press freedom groups on Friday were left shell-shocked after Montreal news outlet La Presse revealed that a hit man had offered $100,000 to have one of its crime reporters assassinated.
Cucumbers sold in Ontario, other provinces recalled over possible salmonella contamination
A U.S. company is recalling cucumbers sold in Ontario and other Canadian provinces due to possible salmonella contamination.
John Herdman resigns as head coach of Toronto FC
John Herdman, embroiled in the drone-spying scandal that has dogged Canada Soccer, has resigned as coach of Toronto FC.
Musk joins Trump and family for Thanksgiving at Mar-a-Lago
Elon Musk had a seat at the family table for Thanksgiving dinner at Mar-a-Lago, joining President-elect Donald Trump, Melania Trump and their 18-year-old son.
Billboard apologizes to Taylor Swift for video snafu
Billboard put together a video of some of Swift’s achievements and used a clip from Kanye West’s music video for the song “Famous.”
Trudeau says no question Trump is serious on tariff threat
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says incoming U.S. president Donald Trump's threats on tariffs should be taken seriously.
In a shock offensive, insurgents breach Syria's largest city for the first time since 2016
Insurgents breached Syria's largest city Friday and clashed with government forces for the first time since 2016, according to a war monitor and fighters, in a surprise attack that sent residents fleeing and added fresh uncertainty to a region reeling from multiple wars.