COVID-19 Testing

Last updated: October 21, 2020 at 4:35 p.m.

If you have one or more symptoms of COVID-19 or think you may have been exposed to the virus, take the Ministry of Health’s self-assessment to find out if you should get tested.

The self-assessment is also available in French.

Take the Self-Assessment

Find out what you need to do if you have symptoms or think you may have been exposed to COVID-19.

 

Depending on your situation, you may be able to get a free COVID-19 test at your local COVID-19 assessment centre or a participating pharmacy.

Toronto Public Health (TPH) does not provide testing for COVID-19 at TPH offices.

OHIP coverage is not required for COVID-19 assessment or testing.

 

Individuals who:

  • Have symptoms of COVID-19, or
  • Have been exposed to a confirmed case of the virus, as notified by local public health or the COVID Alert app, or
  • Live or work in a setting that has a COVID-19 outbreak, as identified by the local public health unit, or
  • Are eligible for testing as part of a targeted testing initiative* as determined by the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Long-Term Care or other Ministries, including:
    • Residents or workers in long-term care homes
    • Visitors to a long-term care home
    • Residents or workers in homeless shelters
    • International student
    • Farm workers
    • Indigenous communities
    • Other setting-specific populations (e.g. asymptomatic cancer patients and pre-operative surgical patients as directed by their treating clinicians)
    • Travellers who require a test before travelling internationally**
  • Children and teenagers who are indicated to get tested based on the Ministry’s COVID-19 school and child care screening

* Targeted testing populations may change from time to time

** This is an interim measure and details for travellers who require testing may change

Individuals who:

  • Do not have symptoms of COVID-19, and
  • Are eligible for testing as part of a targeted testing initiative* as determined by the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Long-Term Care or other Ministries, including:
    • Residents or workers in long-term care homes
    • Visitors to a long-term care home
    • Residents or workers in homeless shelters
    • International students that have passed their 14 day quarantine period
    • Farm workers
    • Indigenous communities
    • Travellers who require a test before travelling internationally**

* Targeted testing populations may change from time to time

** This is an interim measure and details for travellers who require testing may change

Do not visit a pharmacy if:

  • You have any symptoms of COVID-19, or
  • In the past 14 days, you have been identified as a close contact of a person with confirmed COVID-19, or
  • You have been advised by your local public health unit to get tested for COVID-19 due to an exposure to a confirmed case or as part of an outbreak investigation, or
  • You have been advised to get tested through an exposure notification through the COVID-19 app, or
  • In the past 14 days, you returned from travel outside of Canada

People who are experiencing at least one of the symptoms of COVID-19 and have any of the following signs of severe illness:

  • Shortness of breath
  • Chest pain
  • Weakness
  • Lethargy or drowsiness
  • Dizziness

If you are not well enough to take personal transportation, call 911.

The following infants and children should also be assessed in the emergency department:

  • Infants under 3 months of age with fever or trouble breathing or appear unwell
  • Children and infants over 3 months of age with any of the following:
    • Fever longer than 7 days
    • Fast breathing or trouble breathing
    • Bluish skin colour
    • Not drinking enough fluids
    • Not waking up or not interacting
    • Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
    • Fever with a rash
    • Constant vomiting
    • Immune compromised with a fever

People who are unsure if they should be tested for COVID-19 should:

  • Take the Ministry of Health’s self-assessment, or
  • Call Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000 and speak with a registered nurse who will guide whether you will require further care or potential testing in person, or
  • call their primary care provider

Book an Appointment

As of Tuesday, October 6, you will need an appointment to get a test at all assessment centres and select pharmacies. Contact the assessment centre or pharmacy to book your test.

If you already have an appointment booked, it will continue as scheduled.

Assessment centres will only accept walk-ins until Saturday, October 3.

Assessment Centre Locations & Details

See criteria for who may be tested at an assessment centre.

Assessment Centre
 Details
Etobicoke General Hospital Drive-Thru – Humber Queen’s Plate Parking Address: 2 Janda Ct.

Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., by appointment only

Age Restrictions: No children under the age of 2 years

Book an appointment online or by calling 905-487-1249, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., 7 days a week.

For more information, visit the William Osler Health System COVID-19 Assessment Centres webpage.
Humber River Hospital, Church Site Address: 200 Church St. (Highway 401 and Jane)

Age Restrictions: No children under the age of 2 years old

For more information, visit the Humber River Hospital website. Appointments are booked using an online portal.
Humber River Hospital, Reactivation Care Centre – Finch Site Address: 2111 Finch Ave. W. 

Age Restrictions: None

For more information, visit the Humber River Hospital website. Appointments are booked using an online portal.
Michael Garron Hospital Address: 825 Coxwell Ave., Entrance is off of Mortimer Avenue, west of the Emergency Department.

Hours: 7 days a week, 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Telephone: 416-469-6858

Age Restrictions: None

For more information or to book an appointment, visit the Michael Garron Hospital website.

If you do not have a smart phone or computer, you may book over the phone at 416-469-6858. Call centre hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Mount Sinai Hospital Address: 600 University Ave., Ground Floor, entrance is just north of the main entrance

Hours: Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Age Restrictions: None

For more information or to book an appointment, visit the Sinai Health website.
North York General Hospital – Branson Site Address: 555 Finch Ave. W.  (North Entrance, immediately off Finch)

Hours: 7 days a week, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Age Restrictions: None

For more information or to book an appointment, visit the North York General Hospital website. Or call 416-635-2509 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., 7 days a week, to book your appointment over the phone.
Scarborough Health Network – Birchmount Hospital Address: 3030 Birchmount Rd. 

Hours: 7 days a week, 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Telephone: 416-495-2601

Age Restrictions: No children under the age of 1 year

For more information, visit the Scarborough Health Network website.

Please visit the website to preregister to have an appointment scheduled.

If you have challenges in completing the online form, you may call 416-495-2601 (daily between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m.). This phone line is only to preregister.
Scarborough Health Network – Centenary Hospital Address: 2867 Ellesmere Rd. 

Hours: 7 days a week, 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Telephone: 416-495-2601

Age Restrictions: No children under the age of 1 year

For more information, visit the Scarborough Health Network website.

Please visit the website to preregister to have an appointment scheduled.

If you have challenges in completing the online form, you may call 416-495-2601 (daily between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m.). This phone line is only to preregister.
Scarborough Health Network –General Hospital Address: 3050 Lawrence Ave. E.

Hours: Monday to Saturday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., closed on Sundays and Thanksgiving Monday

Telephone: 416-495-2601

Age Restrictions: No children under the age of 6 months

For more information, visit the Scarborough Health Network website.

Please visit the website to preregister to have an appointment scheduled.

If you have challenges in completing the online form, you may call 416-495-2601 (daily between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m.). This phone line is only to preregister.
Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre Address: 2075 Bayview Ave. 

Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre – U Wing

Hours: 7 days a week, 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Age Restrictions: No children under the age of 1 year

For more information, visit the Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre website.

For online scheduling visit Sunnybrook’s COVID-19 Assessment Centre online booking website (use Google Chrome only).

For those without Internet access, call the dedicated phone line at 416-480-4559 to book an appointment.
UHN Toronto Western Hospital Address: 347 Bathurst St. 

Northeast corner of Bathurst and Dundas

Hours: Monday to Saturday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Sunday, 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Age Restrictions: No children under the age of 1 year

For more information or to book an appointment, visit the University Health Network website.

Please do not call the hospital to book an appointment. Appointments may only be booked through the online booking form.
Unity – St. Joseph’s Health Centre Address: 30 The Queensway 

Sunnyside Building, 1st Floor, enter through the Sunnyside Avenue entrance

Hours: 7 days a week, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Age Restrictions: No children under the age of 1 year

For more information or to book an appointment, visit the Unity Health website.

Individuals who do not have phone or internet access may book a future appointment at the Assessment Centre. People experiencing homelessness who are unable to book an appointment and meet the criteria for testing may be tested at the assessment centre during regular hours of operation.
Unity – St. Michael’s Hospital Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute

Address: 38 Shuter St. 

Enter from the Shuter Street entrance on the east side of the building

Hours: 7 days a week, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., except 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on holidays

Age Restrictions: No children under 6 months of age

For more information or to book an appointment, visit the Unity Health website.

Individuals who do not have phone or internet access may book a future appointment at the Assessment Centre. People experiencing homelessness who are unable to book an appointment and meet the criteria for testing may be tested at the assessment centre during regular hours of operation.
Women’s College Hospital Address: 76 Grenville St. 

Hours: 7 days a week, 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Age Restrictions: None

For more information or to pre-register for an appointment, visit the Women’s College Hospital website.

 

Pop-up Testing Sites

Pop-up testing sites are arranged through assessment centres and Ontario’s Ministry of Health to facilitate assessment and testing. Please note there may be additional pop-up testing sites that are not listed below.

Location
 Details
Crescent Town Health Centre

4 The Market Place

 Walk-in only.

Date: September 17– October 24, 2020 (closed Sundays)

Hours: Monday to Saturday, 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. Testing may finish earlier depending on client volumes.

Age Restrictions: None
TNO Youth Centre

45 Overlea Blvd., Unit 108

 Walk-ins welcome. To book an appointment, call: 647-477-1640

Date: September 29 – October 17, 2020

Hours: 7 days a week, 12 p.m. to 7 p.m., Testing may finish earlier depending on client volumes.

Age Restrictions: Accepts all ages over 3 months
The Rhema Foundation Canada

40 Carl Hall Rd. – Downsview Park

 No appointment needed.

Date: October 10, 2020

Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

 

 

Starting Friday, September 25, 2020, participating pharmacy locations will be offering free testing by appointment only to individuals who meet the criteria. More pharmacy locations will make testing available in the coming weeks.

Individuals must follow public health measures when going for a test, including wearing a mask, practising physical distancing and cleaning hands frequently. If you are feeling sick on the day of your appointment, please stay home and re-schedule your test.

As of Friday, September 25, a saliva collection option for testing will be available in addition to the existing nasal swab option at Women’s College, Mount Sinai and University Health Network―Toronto Western Hospital assessment centres. More assessment centres will offer this method in the coming weeks.

The laboratory testing of saliva is performed the same way as the testing of a nasal swab. What is different is how the sample is collected.

A nasal swab is the best option for COVID-19 testing. The saliva test is less sensitive but is still an acceptable method of testing for certain individuals.

Who can be considered for a saliva test:

  • The current eligibility criteria is focused on individuals that are either:
    1. People with a medical or anatomy problem of the nose that makes it impossible to have an nasal swab; or
    2. Children younger than 16 years of age who cannot tolerate the nasal swab.
  • The health care provider will determine the most appropriate testing method for you.

Preparing for saliva collection:

  • If you meet the criteria for saliva testing, you should be well hydrated by drinking a cup of water 60 minutes before giving a saliva sample.
  • Do not eat, drink, smoke, vape, or chew gum for 30 minutes prior to giving a saliva sample.

Providing the saliva sample:

  • You will be required to stop swallowing and let the saliva pool in your mouth. Then gently release the saliva into the container being careful not to contaminate the outside of the container.
  • A minimum of 2 ml (approximately ½ teaspoon) is required for testing.

Saliva testing processing time:

  • Processing of saliva samples for testing requires additional steps which may increase the time to get your result and may take 24-48 hours longer for your result.

If you have been tested for COVID-19, you can now access your test results online.

Get Your Test Results

How to get your test results

  • Visit covid-19.ontario.ca and click on “check your lab results.”
  • Toronto residents who have trouble getting their results may contact Toronto Public Health (TPH) at 416-338-7600.
  • Individuals without a health card must follow up with the assessment centre or testing physician.
  • If your test result is positive, TPH will contact you to let you know when you can stop isolating.

What does “close contact of a case” mean?

  • A close contact of a case is someone who, in the last 14 days, has been in close physical contact with someone who has tested positive for or has symptoms of COVID-19.
  • Close physical contact includes:
    • being less than two metres/six feet away in the same room, workspace, or area for over 15 minutes
    • living in the same home
    • if you are a health care worker, providing care to the individual without consistently wearing the appropriate personal protective equipment.

What does a negative test mean?

  • If you test negative for COVID-19, it means that you did not have detectable virus at the time your sample was collected.
  • A negative test does not mean that you will not get sick. It also does not mean that you will not be exposed to, test positive for, or become sick with COVID-19 at any time in the future.

What does a positive test mean if I don’t have symptoms?

  • When there is virus in the sample, the test is very effective at picking it up.
  • Even if a person with COVID-19 has fully recovered and is no longer contagious, they may still test positive.
  • The research on COVID-19 is still evolving.  
  • The significance of a positive test if you have never had symptoms is still unknown.
  • You should self-isolate and monitor for symptoms when you have tested positive, even if you don’t have symptoms.

Can the test determine if I had COVID-19 in the past (but not now)?

  • No, the test only determines if you have COVID-19 at the time the test is conducted.
  • Tests to determine if someone had COVID-19 in the past are not available in Ontario.

I am a health care worker

I don’t have symptoms, but I am a close contact of a case of COVID-19 or I have travelled outside of Canada in the past 14 days

  • You must self–isolate for 14 days after you last had contact with the case or arrived back in Ontario, even if your test result is negative.

I have symptoms, but I am not a close contact of a case, and I have not travelled outside of Canada in the past 14 days

  • You must self-isolate while waiting for your test results.
  • If your test is positive, self-isolate for 10 days* after your symptoms started. After 10 days* you can stop self-isolating if you don’t have a fever and your symptoms are improving for at least 24 hours.
  • If your test is negative, you may stop self-isolating if you no longer have a fever and your symptoms are improving for at least 24 hours.

I have symptoms of COVID-19 and I am a close contact of a case or I have travelled outside of Canada in the past 14 days

  • If your test is negative, you must self-isolate for 14 days after you last had contact with the case or arrived back in Ontario.
  • If your test is positive, self-isolate for 10 days* after your symptoms started. After 10 days* you can stop self-isolating if you don’t have a fever and your symptoms are improving for at least 24 hours.

I don’t have symptoms, I am not a close contact of a case, and I have not travelled outside of Canada in the past 14 days

  • You are NOT required to self-isolate while waiting for your test results.
  • If your test is positive, self-isolate for 10 days* after your test was performed.

Note: For all of the above scenarios, when you finish self-isolating, you should continue to physical distance from others, clean your hands often, self–monitor, and get re-tested if you develop one of more COVID-19 symptoms. Also wear a  mask or face covering in all indoor public spaces (as per City of Toronto by-law and O. Reg 364) and when physical distancing is not possible.

* Self-isolate for 20 days if you were hospitalized and required ICU level care or have a severely weakened immune system (e.g. you are undergoing cancer chemotherapy).

Download the follow-up instructions for individuals who have been tested for COVID-19.

I went for COVID-19 testing. What’s next?

  • While waiting for your test result, stay home and self-isolate. Do not go to school or work.
  • Check your test results at covid-19.ontario.ca by clicking on “check your lab results.” Results can take a few days.
  • Your household members (siblings, parents, roommates) who do not have symptoms can go to school or work while waiting for your test results as long as you are not a close contact of someone who had COVID-19. If any of your household members are children/teens in school they should complete the COVID-19 school screening

 

If I test negative for COVID-19, when can I return to school?
 Household members without symptoms
I have symptoms but I have not been exposed to someone with COVID-19, and I have not travelled outside of Canada in the last 14 days:

  • Stay home and self-isolate.
  • You may go back to school once your symptoms have been improving* for 24 hours.
  • Young children may have ongoing mild symptoms, such as a runny nose. If it is not new or worse, they may go back to school if they don’t have other symptoms.
I have symptoms and have been exposed to someone with COVID-19:

  • Self-isolate for 14 days from the last day you were exposed to the positive case.
I have symptoms after returning from travel outside of Canada in the last 14 days:

  • Self-isolate for 14 days from the date of return to Canada.
  • After 14 days, you may go back to school or work.
I don’t have symptoms, but have been exposed to someone with COVID-19:

  • Self-isolate for 14 days from day you were exposed to the positive case.

 

If I test positive for COVID-19, when can I return to school?
 Household members without symptoms
  • Stay home and self-isolate for 10 days* after your symptoms started.
  • If you do not have symptoms, stay at home for 10 days* from the date you were tested.
  • Young children may have ongoing mild symptoms, such as a runny nose. If it is not new or worse, they may go back to school after the 10 days* if they don’t have other symptoms.
  • Call your school, letting them know you tested positive for COVID-19.
  • Toronto Public Health will contact you with further instructions.
  • Self-isolate for 14 days from last time you were with the person who tested positive. Seek testing at an Assessment Centre as soon as possible.

* Self-isolate for 20 days if you were hospitalized and required ICU level care or have a severely weakened immune system (e.g. you are undergoing cancer chemotherapy).

Download this information as a PDF (also available in French).