Getting tested for COVID-19

Not everyone with symptoms requires testing. The Ontario government is prioritizing testing to people who live or work in high-risk settings to help protect the most vulnerable, prevent outbreaks and avoid large-scale exposures.

Testing for COVID-19 may not be necessary if you can manage your symptoms at home and you:

• Are not a health care worker.
• Do not work in a health care facility.
• Do not belong to any of the following listed priority groups.

You may be tested if you have symptoms of COVID-19 and belong to any of the following listed priority groups.

Some groups such as infants, children, seniors and people living with a developmental disability can experience less common symptoms and may also be prioritized for testing.

Priority groups for testing

The following groups are being prioritized for testing based on the Ontario government's updated guidance:

• Health care workers and staff who work in health care facilities.
• Residents and staff of long term care and retirement homes, correctional facilities, homeless shelters, hospices, group homes, and other congregate living settings.
• Hospital inpatients.
• Caregivers, care providers, and first responders (paramedics, firefighters, police).
• Members of remote, isolated, rural or Indigenous communities.
• Travellers identified at point of entry to Canada.
• Specific vulnerable populations, such as patients undergoing chemotherapy, dialysis, pre and post-transplant, as well as pregnant women and newborns.
• Cross-border workers.
• People living in the same household of health care workers, care providers and first responders.
• Other essential workers, as defined by the Ontario government.

The following guidance does not apply if you are a health care worker, work in a health care facility, or belong to a priority group for testing.

• If you're a health care worker or work in a health care facility, visit Health Professionals for testing and self-isolation guidance.
• If you belong to other priority groups, take the online self-assessment, check an assessment centre website for more information, or contact Peel Public Health

If you have symptoms of a respiratory or flu-like illness (such as, cough, fever, shortness of breath, muscles aches, congestion, runny nose, sore throat) and you're able to manage your symptoms at home, you should:

• Self-isolate at home for 14 days from the start of your symptoms.
• You can come out of isolation 14 days after your symptoms began, if you're feeling better, and don't have a fever (your temperature remains lower than 38 C).

You tested positive for COVID-19:

Peel Public Health will contact all positive cases directly.

• Self-isolate at home for 14 days from the start of your symptoms.
• You can come out of isolation 14 days after your symptoms began, if you're feeling better, and don't have a fever (your temperature remains lower than 38 C).

You tested negative for COVID-19:

If you tested negative for COVID-19 you will still need to stay in self-isolation for a period of time, as you could still be at risk of developing COVID-19 based on your exposure, or you may have another illness.

• If you recently travelled outside of Canada or have been in close contact (for example, live in the same house) with a confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19, you need to remain in self-isolation for 14 days after the onset of your symptoms
• If you're a health care worker or work in a health care facility - see Health Professionals for more guidance.
• If the other conditions do not apply, you should remain in self-isolation for 24 hours after your symptoms resolve.

If you have been tested but are still waiting for your results

• Self-isolate at home for 14 days from the start of your symptoms
• If it has been more than 14 days since your symptoms started, you can come out of isolation if you are feeling better, and don't have a fever (your temperature remains lower than 38 C).

View how to self-isolate (PDF) for more information. This information sheet is also available in multiple languages on our translated resources page.