Assessment, Testing, Results, and Antiviral Treatment

Assessment

If you require a clinical assessment for COVID-19 symptoms or access to antiviral treatment, you should contact your family doctor.

If you cannot access your family doctor, or do not have a family doctor, contact Health Connect Ontario by calling 1-866-797-0007 OR by joining a live chat with a healthcare navigator.

Testing

People in the following higher-risk groups are eligible to be tested

Symptomatic people who fall into one of the following groups (those with * may also be eligible for treatment including antiviral treatment): 

• People aged 70 years and older *
• People aged 60 years and older who have less than three doses of COVID-19 vaccine *
• People who are immunocompromised *
• Adults aged 18 years and older who have had less than three doses of COVID19 vaccine and have risk conditions *:
  • obesity (BMI ≥ 30kg/m²)
  • diabetes
  • heart disease, hypertension, congestive heart failure
  • chronic respiratory disease, including cystic fibrosis
  • cerebral palsy
  • intellectual disability
  • sickle cell disease
  • moderate or severe kidney disease (eGFR <60mL/min)
  • moderate or severe liver disease (e.g., Child Pugh Class B or C cirrhosis)
• Other people at higher risk of severe disease who may be eligible for COVID19 treatment if they tested positive *
• Pregnant people *
• Patient-facing healthcare workers
• Staff and their household members, volunteers, residents or inpatients, essential care providers, patient facing health care workers, and visitors in highest risk settings
• Highest risk settings include: hospitals (including complex continuing care facilities and paramedic services), and congregate living settings with medically and socially vulnerable individuals, including, but not limited to long-term care homes, retirement homes, First Nation elder care lodges, group homes, shelters, hospices, correctional institutions, and hospital schools.
• Home and community care workers
• Staff and students in Provincial and Demonstration Schools
• Elementary and secondary students and education staff who have received a PCR self-collection kit through their school
• International Agriculture Workers in congregate living settings
• Patients seeking emergency medical care, at the discretion of the treating clinician
• Other outpatients for whom a diagnostic test is required for clinical management, at the discretion of the treating clinician
• People who are underhoused or experiencing homelessness
• First responders, including fire, police and paramedics

Symptomatic and asymptomatic people: 

• Individuals 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, OHIP
• Any patient with a scheduled surgical procedure requiring a general anaesthetic 24 to 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 to 48 hours prior to treatment for cancer or prior to hemodialysis, at the discretion of the treating clinician

Confirmatory testing: At this time, positive results from molecular tests (either lab based or rapid) used for diagnostic purposes can be considered confirmed cases and do not require further confirmatory testing.

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

If eligible, where can I get tested?

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

1 - The 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 Monday to Friday (excluding statutory holidays), 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.

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 rapid antigen test kits (RAT) 

RAT kits are available through the Province of Ontario, and distributed through pharmacy and grocery stores across the province. A list of participating retailers as well as information on how retail locations are distributing rapid test kits can be found at Ontario.ca/rapidtest.

What do I do after getting tested?

Carefully read the instructions you are provided when you were tested. Please read details on whether or not you are required to self-isolate, and when you can return to work or school.

Options to view test results:

1. Check the Government of Ontario’s online portal for your test results.

2. If you are unable to access the portal, contact your primary care provider and ask for your test results.

3. If you are unable to access the portal or your primary care provider, you must obtain your results directly from your testing provider.

• If you were tested at the COVID-19 Assessment Centre in Kingston, or at Hotel Dieu Urgent Care, COPC, or KGH emergency department, call 613 544-3400, ext. 4204.

• If you were tested at Queen’s University, call 613 533-2506.
• If you were tested at a pharmacy, call that pharmacy directly.

KFL&A Public Health cannot provide test results for individuals if they were not tested by KFL&A Public Health.

What happens if I test positive?

If you test positive for COVID-19, you must self-isolate immediately.

Antiviral treatment

COVID-19 antiviral treatment screener

This treatment must start within five days of when symptoms start. Contact your family doctor to be assessed. 

If you cannot access your family doctor, or do not have a family doctor, contact Health Connect Ontario by calling 1-866-797-0007 OR by joining a live chat with a healthcare navigator.