Assessment, Testing, and Results

Who can get tested?

Effective December 31, 2021, publicly-funded PCR testing will only be available for high-risk individuals who are symptomatic or are at risk of severe illness from COVID-19, including for the purposes of confirming a COVID-19 diagnosis to begin medical treatment, and workers and residents in the highest risk settings, as well as vulnerable populations. PCR testing will only be recommended for individuals if they belong to the following groups:

• Symptomatic people who fall into one of the following groups:
  • Hospitalized patients
  • Patients in Emergency Departments, at the discretion of the treating clinician
  • Patient-facing health care workers
  • Staff, residents, essential care providers, and visitors in hospitals and congregate living settings, including long-term care, retirement homes, First Nation elder care lodges, group homes, shelters, hospices, temporary foreign worker settings, and correctional institutions
  • Outpatients for whom COVID-19 treatment is being considered
  • Underhoused or homeless
• People who are from First Nation, Inuit, and Métis communities and individuals travelling into these communities for work.
• Symptomatic elementary and secondary students and education staff who have received a PCR self-collection kit through their school.
• People on admission/transfer to or from hospital or congregate living setting.
• High-risk contacts and asymptomatic/symptomatic people in the context of confirmed or suspected outbreaks in high-risk settings, including hospitals, long-term care, retirement homes, other congregate living settings and institutions, and other 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, OHIP.
• Asymptomatic testing in hospital, long-term care, retirement homes and other congregate living settings and Institutions as per provincial guidance and/or Directives.

Individuals with symptoms consistent with COVID-19 are presumed positive and they should follow isolation and/or self-monitoring guidelines.

Testing for asymptomatic contacts of cases is generally no longer recommended, except for high-risk contacts or individuals that are part of confirmed or suspected outbreaks in high-risk settings, as recommended by public health.

Positive rapid antigen tests will no longer require PCR confirmation.

If you are experiencing worsening COVID-19 symptoms

You can book an appointment for a clinical assessment by a nurse, paramedic, or doctor at the Beechgrove Assessment Centre if you have worsening symptoms and may not qualify for a PCR test. Book online or call 613-548-2376.

Booking a clinical assessment does not mean a person will be eligible for a PCR test under the new Ontario guidelines. 

If eligible, where can I get tested?

Testing is NOT available at KFL&A Public Health offices. 

1 - COVID-19 Assessment Centres

COVID-19 Pop-up Testing Clinic

Kingston Health Sciences Centre (at the Beechgrove Complex)

• Testing is available by appointment only. 

• January 2 to 10, 4:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Assessment by a physician is not available at this clinic

COVID-19 Assessment Centre 

(Beechgrove Complex) 51 Heakes Lane, Kingston

• Testing is available by appointment only. Book online or by telephone at 613-548-2376
• Open 7 days a week, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

Weekly COVID-19 antigen testing is NOT available at the Beechgrove assessment centre

Unvaccinated individuals requiring weekly surveillance (antigen) testing for COVID-19 cannot be tested at a COVID-19 the Beechgrove assessment centre. Provincial Directive #6 states that employers are required to establish a testing plan for unvaccinated employees.

For employers seeking more information on the provincial rapid antigen program and whether their organization is eligible for free test kits, visit:  

• Provincial Antigen Screening Program - Government of Ontario
• Get free rapid tests - Government of Ontario - learn about rapid antigen testing and find out if your organization is eligible to access free test kits.
• Employees can also seek rapid antigen testing at a number of local pharmacies for a fee.

COVID-19 Assessment Centre (Lennox & Addington Assessment Centre)

LACGH Westdale Campus at 12 Richmond Park Dr, Napanee

• Pre-register to book a test or call before visiting: 613-354-8254
• Open Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

2 - Pharmacies

For a full list of COVID-19 Assessment Centres and pharmacies that provide testing in Ontario, visit the Government of Ontario’s directory and search by city, town or postal code.

3 - Take home PCR test kits

PLEASE NOTE: Not all clinics have received PCR test kits. Supply is limited.

Take home PCR tests are available for patients of participating Family Care Practices.

Local participating family health care practices include:

• Bridge Street Health
• Bayridge Medical Clinic
• CDK Clinics
• Dr. Janet Watt
• Dr. Carl Lee
• Dr. Craig Mitchell
• First Capital Health (Drs. Colleen and Drew Webster)
• Frontenac Medical Clinic & Associates
• Frontenac Doctors (189 King Street, W)
• Greenwood Medical Centre
• Kingston Community Health Centres
• Loyalist FHT, Amherstview
• Maple Family Health Team
• Meadowbrook Family Medicine, Kingston
• Napanee Family Physicians
• Newburgh Clinic
• Portsmouth Medical Clinic
• Queen's Family Health Team (both locations)
• Sydenham Medical Clinic
• Tamworth Clinic
• Thomas Street Clinic
• Verona Medical Clinic
• Quarry Medical

Please do not phone family health care practices regarding the take home PCR test kits. Take home PCR test kits are available based on supply.

Resources

• Instructions for Close Contacts (PDF)
• Instructions for Individuals Tested for COVID-19 and/or with Symptoms of COVID-19 (PDF)