COVID-19 Testing

Who Should Visit an Assessment Centre

People experiencing at least one of the following symptoms of COVID-19:

• Fever (temperature of 37.8C or greater)
• New or worsening cough
• Shortness of breath (dyspnea)
• Sore throat
• Difficulty swallowing
• New smell or taste disorder(s)
• Nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain
• Runny nose, or nasal congestion – in absence of underlying reason for these symptoms such as seasonal allergies, post nasal drip, etc.

Note: See the COVID-19 Reference Document for Symptoms  for atypical symptoms of COVID-19 which should be considered, particularly in children, older persons, and people living with a developmental disability.

Some asymptomatic individuals may be recommended for testing. This includes if:

• You were a close contact of someone who has COVID-19;
• You are concerned you may have been exposed to someone who might have COVID-19, even if you do not have symptoms;
• You are at high risk for getting COVID-19 through your work (e.g. health care workers, grocery store or food processing plant employees), even if you do not have symptoms.

No Ontarian who is symptomatic or who is concerned they have been exposed to COVID-19 will be declined a test at an Assessment Centre.

Who Should Go to Their Nearest Emergency Department

People with acute medical illness who are experiencing at least one of the following symptoms of COVID-19:

• Fever (temperature of 37.8C or greater)
• New or worsening cough
• Shortness of breath (dyspnea)
• Sore throat
• Difficulty swallowing
• New olfactory or taste disorder(s)
• Nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain
• Runny nose, or nasal congestion – in absence of underlying reason for these symptoms such as seasonal allergies, post nasal drip, etc.

NOTE: See COVID-19 Reference Document for Symptoms for atypical symptoms of COVID-19 which should be considered, particularly in children, older person, and people living with a developmental disability.

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

Unsure if You Should Visit an Assessment Centre

People who are unsure if they should visit an assessment centre should:

• 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

Assessment Centre Locations & Details

Assessment Centre	Details
Etobicoke General Hospital Drive-Thru – Humber Queen’s Plate Parking	Address: 2 Janda Ct. Hours: 7 days/week; 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Age Restrictions: No children under the age of 2 years For more information, visit the William Osler Health System COVID-19 Assessment Centres webpage.
Humber River Hospital, Church Site	Address: 200 Church St. Hours: Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Age restrictions: No children under the age of 2 years old For more information, visit the Humber River Hospital website.
Humber River Hospital, Reactivation Care Centre – Finch Site	Address: 2111 Finch Ave. W. Hours: Monday to Friday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Telephone: 416-747-6740 Age Restrictions: None For more information, visit the Humber River Hospital website.
Michael Garron Hospital	Address: 825 Coxwell Ave. (outpatient clinic location in D-wing, 1st floor; accessed from Mortimer Avenue). By appointment only. Hours: 7 days/week, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Telephone: 416-469-6858 Age Restrictions: None For more information, visit the Michael Garron Hospital website.
Mount Sinai Hospital	Address: 600 University Ave., Ground Floor Hours: Monday to Friday: 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. – open for walk-ins 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. – by appointment only Age Restrictions: None For more information, visit the Sinai Health website.
North York General Hospital	Address: 4001 Leslie St. (enter through Emergency Department) Hours: 7 days/week; 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Phone: 416-756-6000 Age Restrictions: No age restrictions For more information, visit the North York General Hospital website.
North York General Hospital – Branson Site	Address: 555 Finch Ave. W. (North Entrance, immediately off Finch) Hours: 7 days/week; 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Age Restrictions: None Note: The COVID-19 Assessment Centre will now have a dedicated front of the line service for our community members who are elderly and under 12 years of age. From 8:00am until 10:00am those over 65 and under 12 will be able to move to the front of the line and will have dedicated registration staff to alleviate wait times. For more information, visit the North York General Hospital website.
Scarborough Health Network – Birchmount Hospital	Address: 3030 Birchmount Rd. Hours: 7 days/week; 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Telephone: 416-495-2601 Age Restrictions: No children under the age of 1 year For more information, visit the Scarborough Health Network – Birchmount Hospital COVID-19 Assessment Centre website.
Scarborough Health Network – Centenary Hospital	Address: 2867 Ellesmere Rd. Hours: 7 days/week, 9 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 COVID-19 Assessment Centre website.
Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre	Address: 2075 Bayview Ave. Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre – U Wing Hours: Monday to Friday, 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Age Restrictions: No children under the age of 1 year For more information, visit the Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre COVID-19 website.
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 Note: By appointment only. For more information, visit the University Health Network website.
Unity – St. Joseph’s Health Centre	Address: 30 The Queensway Sunnyside Building, 1st Floor, enter through the Sunnyside Avenue entrance Hours: 7 days/week; 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (last patient to be registered at 7:30 p.m., or earlier if testing capacity has been reached) Age Restrictions: No children under the age of 1 year For more information, visit the Unity – St. Joseph’s Hospital website.
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/week; 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (last patient to be registered at 5:40 p.m., or earlier if testing capacity has been reached) Age Restrictions: No children under 6 months of age For more information, visit the Unity – St. Michael’s Hospital website.
Women’s College Hospital	Address: 76 Grenville St. Use the North East entrance located on Grosvenor Street. Hours: 7 days/week, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Age Restrictions: No children under the age of 2 years Note: Pre-registration preferred (wait times may be longer for walk-ins). To pre-register complete the online registration form. It may take up to 24 hours to receive a call after you register. For more information, 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	Date: September 17– October 3, 2020 (closed Sundays) Hours: Monday to Saturday, 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. Age Restrictions: None
TNO Youth Centre 45 Overlea Blvd., Unit 108	Date: September 29 – October 17, 2020 Hours: 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. daily Age Restrictions: Accepts all ages over 3 months
Gord and Irene Risk Community Centre 2650 Finch Ave. W (east of Islington Ave.)	Date: October 3, 2020 Hours: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Rhema Foundation Canada 40 Carl Hall Rd. – Downsview Park	Date: October 10, 2020 Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

 

 

Testing in Pharmacies for People Who Do Not Have Symptoms

The Ontario government is partnering with pharmacies to offer free testing by appointment only to people who do not have symptoms of COVID-19. 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.

Read the list of pharmacies offering COVID-19 testing for more information.

Saliva Testing

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. 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.

Get Your Test Results

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, or who do not have internet access, 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 directly.
• If your test result is positive, TPH will contact you to conduct contact tracing and advise you on when you can complete your period of self-isolation.

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 swab test is not an antibody/serology test. The swab test only determines if you have COVID-19 at the time the test is conducted.
• Currently, antibody/serology tests are not available to the general public in Ontario.

 

Follow-up Instructions for Individuals Tested for COVID-19

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 from others for 14 days after you last had contact with the case or arrived back in Ontario, even if your test result is negative.
• After the 14 days, you should continue to physical distance from others, clean your hands often, continue to self–monitor, and get re-tested if you develop one of more symptoms of COVID-19. In addition, wear a non-medical mask or face covering in all indoor public spaces (required as per City of Toronto bylaw) and when physical distancing is not possible.

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 away from others while waiting for your test results.
• If your test is positive, self-isolate from others for 14 days from the first day your symptoms started.
• If your test is negative, you may stop self-isolating after you are symptom-free for 24 hours.
• You should continue to physical distance from others, clean your hands often, continue to self–monitor, and get re-tested if you develop one of more symptoms of COVID-19. In addition, wear a non-medical mask or face covering in all indoor public spaces (required as per City of Toronto bylaw) and when physical distancing is not possible.

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

• You must self-isolate from others for 14 days from the first day your symptoms started, even if your test result is negative.
• After the 14 days, you should continue to physical distance from others, clean your hands often, continue to self–monitor, and get re-tested if you develop one of more symptoms of COVID-19. In addition, wear a non-medical mask or face covering in all indoor public spaces (required as per City of Toronto bylaw) and when physical distancing is not possible.

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 from others for 14 days after your test was performed.
• If your test result is negative you should continue to physical distance from others, clean your hands often, continue to self–monitor, and get re-tested if you develop one of more symptoms of COVID-19. In addition, wear a non-medical mask or face covering in all indoor public spaces (required as per City of Toronto bylaw) and when physical distancing is not possible.

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.

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