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Where can I get a COVID-19 test?

Only certain people now qualify for an Assessment Centre test, and there are a limited number of rapid antigen tests available. If you have symptoms and you cannot get tested, you should assume that you have COVID-19.

If you are sick, you should stay home. Under updated self-isolation guidance, if you have symptoms, you should self-isolate until you have no fever and your symptoms have been improving for 24 hours (or 48 hours for nausea, diarrhea, or vomiting). This will reduce the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory and gastrointestinal illnesses. Click here for more information.

The testing options below may be available to you. Assessment Centre tests are more accurate than Rapid Antigen Tests. If you are eligible for a test at an Assessment Centre, we recommend choosing that option.

Who can get a COVID-19 test at an Assessment Centre?

COVID-19 tests at Assessment Centres are now available to people who have COVID-19 symptoms and belong to any of the following groups:

  • People aged 60 years of age and older
  • People aged 18 years of age and older who have at least one condition that puts them at higher risk of severe COVID-19 disease
  • People aged 18 years of age and older who are unvaccinated or have not completed their first round of vaccinations (e.g., their primary series of COVID-19 vaccines)
  • People aged 18 years of age and older who have received their first round of vaccinations (or primary series) AND received their last COVID-19 vaccine dose more than 6 months ago AND have not had a COVID-19 infection in the past 6 months
  • People who are immunocompromised
  • Pregnant people
  • Patients seeking emergency medical care or other outpatients where the health care professional judges it to be necessary
  • Health care workers providing patient care
  • Staff, volunteers, residents/inpatients, essential care providers, and visitors in highest risk settings including hospitals and congregate living settings with medically and socially vulnerable individuals, including international agriculture workers.
  • Household members of staff in highest risk settings and patient-facing health care workers
  • Home and community care workers
  • People who are underhoused or experiencing homelessness
  • First responders, including firefighters, police, and paramedics

If you are not eligible for a COVID-19 test at an Assessment Centre, a rapid antigen test is your best option. 

People who fall into one of these categories are eligible, even if they do not have symptoms:

  • People who are from a First Nation, Inuit, Métis community, and/or who self-identify as First Nation, Inuit, and Métis, and their household members
  • Individuals travelling into First Nation, Inuit, Métis communities for work
  • On admission/transfer to or from hospital or congregate living setting
  • People in the context of confirmed or suspected outbreaks in highest risk settings as directed by the local public health unit
  • Individuals, and one accompanying caregiver, with written prior approval for out-of-country medical services from the General Manager, Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP)
  • Any patient with a scheduled surgical procedure requiring a general anaesthetic 24-48 hours prior to procedure date
  • Newborns born to people with confirmed COVID-19 at the time of birth within 24 hours of delivery, with a repeat test at 48 hours after birth if baseline test is negative, or if the parental test results are pending at the time of discharge
  • People 24-48 hours prior to treatment for cancer or prior to hemodialysis, at the discretion of the treating clinician
  • Staff of highest risk settings who, within the last 10 days, have had close contact with an individual with symptoms compatible with COVID-19 or an individual who has tested positive for COVID-19, for the purposes of facilitating return to work, as directed by sector-specific guidance or Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) or Occupational Health staff.

If eligible, call the Assessment Centre in Kirkland Lake at 705-568-2127.

In addition to the Assessment Centre location, PCR tests are offered at Northern Drugs; however, there is a fee for service. Eligibility criteria is the same as the list above for tests at the Assessment Centre. People who require COVID-19 tests prior to travel are not eligible for a test at this location.

How can I get my test results from the Assessment Centre?

To see your results, visit the Ontario Government’s COVID-19 Test Results webpage.

If you cannot access your results online, call the Assessment Centre where you were tested.

  • Kirkland Lake: 705-568-2127

Where can I get a rapid antigen test?

Free rapid antigen tests are available at select locations in Timiskaming. 

Free rapid antigen tests may be available at participating pharmacies. Search the Government of Ontario list of rapid antigen test locations for updates.

Where can I get a COVID-19 test for travel?

Please visit our Travel Recommendations webpage for information about COVID-19 testing prior to travel.

 

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