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
Grandparent scam: London, Ont., senior beats fraudsters not once, but twice
It was a typical Tuesday for Mabel Beharrell, 84, until she got the call that would turn her world upside down. Her teenaged grandson was in trouble and needed her help.
Deaths of 4 people on Sask. farm confirmed as murder-suicide
The deaths of four people on a farm near the Saskatchewan village of Neudorf have been confirmed a murder-suicide.
CRA no longer requiring 'bare trust' reporting in 2023 tax return
The Canada Revenue Agency announced Thursday it will not require 'bare trust' reporting from Canadians that it introduced for the 2024 tax season, just four days before the April 2 deadline.
Full parole granted to man convicted in notorious 'McDonald's murders' in Cape Breton
The Parole Board of Canada has granted full parole to one of three men convicted in the brutal murders of three McDonald's restaurant workers in Cape Breton more than 30 years ago.
Incident on Calgary's Reconciliation Bridge comes to safe resolution
Nearly 20 hours after a man climbed and remained perched on top of the Reconciliation Bridge in downtown Calgary, the situation came to a peaceful resolution.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
George Washington family secrets revealed by DNA from unmarked 19th century graves
Genetic analysis has shed light on a long-standing mystery surrounding the fates of U.S. President George Washington's younger brother Samuel and his kin.
'We won't forget': How some Muslims view Poilievre's stance on Israel-Hamas war
A spokesman for a regional Muslim advocacy group says Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's stance on the Israel-Hamas war could complicate his party's relationship with Muslim Canadians.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.