COVID-19 Assessment Centre

COVID-19 Assessment Centre

Who should go to an Assessment Centre?

Effective December 31, 2021, PCR testing will only be available for individuals if they belong to the following groups:

  • Showing COVID-19 symptoms (see list of symptoms), 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
    • Pregnant individuals
    • Household members of workers in highest risk settings (i.e., Hospitals and congregate living settings (e.g., LTCH, RTs, First Nation elder care lodges, group homes, shelters, hospices and correctional institutions)
    • First responders, including fire, police and paramedics

  • 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

Other Information

If you have symptoms of COVID-19

Individuals who are vaccinated, as well as children under 12 who have symptoms of COVID-19 will be required to isolate for five days following the onset of symptoms. These individuals can end isolation after five days if their symptoms are improving for at least 24 hours, and all public health and safety measures, such as masking and physical distancing, are followed

Individuals who are unvaccinated, partially vaccinated or immunocompromised will be required to isolate for 10 days.

If you are someone who works or lives in a high risk-health care setting (i.e., hospitals, long-term care, retirement homes, congregate living settings) you must notify your employer. Individuals who work or live in these settings should not attend work for 10 days from their symptom onset, or from their date of diagnosis. To ensure sufficient staffing levels, workers in these settings may have the opportunity to return to work early on day seven of their isolation, with a negative PCR test, or two negative rapid antigen tests on day six and seven. Speak with your employer or occupational health and safety department for more information.

All household contacts must also isolate for the same duration as the person with symptoms, regardless of their vaccination status. If you have symptoms of COVID-19, you should also consider informing close contacts beyond your household contacts by providing them with the link to Ontario.ca/exposed. Individuals who are eligible for a lab-based PCR test are encouraged to get tested.

If you have concerns about your symptoms, contact your doctor, health care provider or Telehealth for more information and guidance. If you develop severe symptoms requiring medical attention, such as shortness of breath or chest pain, call 911.

If you do not have symptoms of COVID-19 but are feeling unwell, isolate until symptoms have improved for at least 24 hours.

If you’ve been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19

If you are fully vaccinated and you have no symptoms, and do not live with the positive case, you are advised to:

  • Self-monitor for symptoms for 10 days since you last interacted with the positive case
  • Maintain masking, physical distancing and adherence to all other public health measures if leaving home
  • Do not visit any high-risk settings or individuals who may be at higher risk of illness (e.g., seniors) for 10 days from your last exposure.

If you are not fully vaccinated, or are immunocompromised, you must isolate immediately for 10 days following your last contact. If you live with the positive case, you must isolate for the length of their isolation period.

Individuals who are eligible for testing are encouraged to get tested.

If you have COVID-19 based on a positive test result

If you test positive from a PCR, rapid molecular or a rapid antigen test and you are fully vaccinated or under 12 years of age, you must isolate for five days from the positive test result if you have no symptoms or from symptom onset and until their symptoms are improving for 24 hours (or 48 hours if gastrointestinal symptoms).

If you are partially vaccinated, unvaccinated or immunocompromised, you should self-isolate for 10 days from the onset of symptoms, or from the date of your test (whichever came sooner).

In addition, household contacts of individuals who have tested positive must also self-isolate during this time. Individuals must isolate regardless of their vaccination status.

You should also notify your close contacts. A close contact is anyone you were less than two metres away from for at least 15 minutes, or multiple shorter lengths of time, without personal protective equipment in the 48 hours before your symptoms began or your positive test result, whichever came first.

Other Testing Options

Cold/Flu/COVID Clinic

Our Cold/Flu/COVID-19 Clinic at SHN’s General hospital is for patients who develop moderate symptoms common to COVID-19, the flu or a cold and need to see a doctor.

Patients will be given a medical assessment by a physician, who will consult with them about next steps they should take for their care. Patients may also receive a COVID-19 test and/or a flu shot, as appropriate. Please note: COVID-19 testing at this clinic cannot be used for travel purposes. 

Learn more

Your local Pharmacy

You can make an appointment to get tested for COVID-19 at select pharmacies if you are not showing symptoms AND you live or work in an at-risk setting, such as a long-term care home, homeless shelter or other congregate setting. To find the closest pharmacy, please visit Ontario.ca/covidtest.

Pop-up testing in the community

Carefirst One-Stop Multi-Services Centre (300 Silver Star Boulevard)
Thursdays and Fridays, 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.  |  Book an appointment: www.carefirstontario.ca
Brought to you by Carefirst Seniors and Community Services Association and Carefirst Family Health Team.

Your family doctor

You are also encouraged to speak with your health care provider and to continue to follow public health measures, including wearing a face covering, washing your hands frequently and maintaining physical distance from people outside your household or social circle.

Locations

Birchmount Hospital

Birchmount Hospital
3030 Birchmount Road

Hours of operation
8 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Seven days a week

Outside of the hospital building, near the Emergency department and main entrance. Please follow the directions on-site.

For more details on arriving for your appointment and after completing your test, view instructions.

University of Toronto - Scarborough Campus (Highland Hall)

Our Assessement Centre at the University of Toronto – Scarborough Campus (Highland Hall) 1265 Military Trail will be opening on Tuesday, December 28.

University of Toronto – Scarborough Campus (Highland Hall)
1265 Military Trail

Hours of operation
8 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Seven days a week

IF DRIVING
Free parking is available in parking Lot A (across from Highland Hall).

  IF TAKING PUBLIC TRANSIT  
Ride the 905 Eglinton East Express, 38/38A Highland Creek, or 95B/95E York Mills and exit at “University of Toronto Scarborough Campus” Bus Loop. 

IF WALKING 
If walking from Ellesmere, follow the sidewalk along Military Trail to Highland Hall. Please do not enter other areas on campus. 

For more details on arriving for your appointment and after completing your test, view instructions.

Cold/Flu/COVID-19 Clinic

General Hospital

Our Cold/Flu/COVID-19 Clinic, located at our General hospital, is for patients who develop moderate symptoms common to COVID-19, the flu or a cold and need to see a doctor.

Learn more

Other resources

Hotlines

Telehealth Ontario
1-866-797-0000

Toronto Public Health
416-338-7600

Self-Assessment Tool

You can use the Government of Ontario’s self-assessment tool to help determine if you need to seek further care.

Self-Assessment Tool

Access your test results

If you have taken a COVID-19 test, you can access and view your test results from the Ministry of Health online through a new user-friendly tool. This is maintained by Ontario Health on behalf of the Ministry.

Access your results

Who should go to an Assessment Centre?

Effective December 31, 2021, PCR testing will only be available for individuals if they belong to the following groups:

  • Showing COVID-19 symptoms (see list of symptoms), 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
    • Pregnant individuals
    • Household members of workers in highest risk settings (i.e., Hospitals and congregate living settings (e.g., LTCH, RTs, First Nation elder care lodges, group homes, shelters, hospices and correctional institutions)
    • First responders, including fire, police and paramedics

  • 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

Other Information

If you have symptoms of COVID-19

If you have symptoms of COVID-19

Individuals who are vaccinated, as well as children under 12 who have symptoms of COVID-19 will be required to isolate for five days following the onset of symptoms. These individuals can end isolation after five days if their symptoms are improving for at least 24 hours, and all public health and safety measures, such as masking and physical distancing, are followed

Individuals who are unvaccinated, partially vaccinated or immunocompromised will be required to isolate for 10 days.

If you are someone who works or lives in a high risk-health care setting (i.e., hospitals, long-term care, retirement homes, congregate living settings) you must notify your employer. Individuals who work or live in these settings should not attend work for 10 days from their symptom onset, or from their date of diagnosis. To ensure sufficient staffing levels, workers in these settings may have the opportunity to return to work early on day seven of their isolation, with a negative PCR test, or two negative rapid antigen tests on day six and seven. Speak with your employer or occupational health and safety department for more information.

All household contacts must also isolate for the same duration as the person with symptoms, regardless of their vaccination status. If you have symptoms of COVID-19, you should also consider informing close contacts beyond your household contacts by providing them with the link to Ontario.ca/exposed. Individuals who are eligible for a lab-based PCR test are encouraged to get tested.

If you have concerns about your symptoms, contact your doctor, health care provider or Telehealth for more information and guidance. If you develop severe symptoms requiring medical attention, such as shortness of breath or chest pain, call 911.

If you do not have symptoms of COVID-19 but are feeling unwell, isolate until symptoms have improved for at least 24 hours.

If you’ve been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19

If you are fully vaccinated and you have no symptoms, and do not live with the positive case, you are advised to:

  • Self-monitor for symptoms for 10 days since you last interacted with the positive case
  • Maintain masking, physical distancing and adherence to all other public health measures if leaving home
  • Do not visit any high-risk settings or individuals who may be at higher risk of illness (e.g., seniors) for 10 days from your last exposure.

If you are not fully vaccinated, or are immunocompromised, you must isolate immediately for 10 days following your last contact. If you live with the positive case, you must isolate for the length of their isolation period.

Individuals who are eligible for testing are encouraged to get tested.

If you have COVID-19 based on a positive test result

If you test positive from a PCR, rapid molecular or a rapid antigen test and you are fully vaccinated or under 12 years of age, you must isolate for five days from the positive test result if you have no symptoms or from symptom onset and until their symptoms are improving for 24 hours (or 48 hours if gastrointestinal symptoms).

If you are partially vaccinated, unvaccinated or immunocompromised, you should self-isolate for 10 days from the onset of symptoms, or from the date of your test (whichever came sooner).

In addition, household contacts of individuals who have tested positive must also self-isolate during this time. Individuals must isolate regardless of their vaccination status.

You should also notify your close contacts. A close contact is anyone you were less than two metres away from for at least 15 minutes, or multiple shorter lengths of time, without personal protective equipment in the 48 hours before your symptoms began or your positive test result, whichever came first.

OTHER OPTIONS: Testing if you don't have symptoms or none of the above apply to you:

Make an appointment at your local Pharmacy

You can get tested for COVID-19 at select pharmacies if you are not showing symptoms AND you live or work in an at-risk setting, such as a long-term care home, homeless shelter or other congregate setting. To find the closest pharmacy, please visit Ontario.ca/covidtest.

Pop-up testing in the community

Carefirst One-Stop Multi-Services Centre (300 Silver Star Boulevard)
Thursdays and Fridays, 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.  |  Book an appointment: www.carefirstontario.ca
Brought to you by Carefirst Seniors and Community Services Association and Carefirst Family Health Team.

Talk with your family doctor

You are also encouraged to speak with your health care provider and to continue to follow public health measures, including wearing a face covering, washing your hands frequently and maintaining physical distance from people outside your household or social circle.

Are you looking to get immediate testing for COVID-19?

Drop by our Pop-up Assessment Centres around Scarborough for walk-in testing.

Book your testing appointment at a COVID-19 Assessment Centre

Book your testing appointment at a COVID-19 Assessment Centre

If you are in one of the groups that is eligible for testing at an Assessment Centre, please complete the booking form below to make an appointment. For questions not related to your appointment, please email covidassessmentcentre@shn.ca.

Information on getting tested

You must have your Health Card to be tested. Please bring your Driver’s License too if you have one.

Download or print:   What to expect

What to do when you arrive for your appointment

Please arrive 10 minutes before your appointment to allow time for parking and accessing the Assessment Centre.

Park in the hospital visitor parking lot. Make sure you keep your parking slip.

Or if getting tested at UTSC, free parking is available in Lot A.

Follow the signage for the COVID-19 Assessment Centre.

You will be registered by one of our registration clerks, seen by the nurse and have your nasal swab completed.

What to do after your test is completed

Clean your hands, then go directly to your vehicle or transportation. Do not walk through the hospital or other areas on campus.

You will receive a parking voucher following your test if at the hospital. When you exit the parking lot, insert the parking slip you received upon arrival, followed by the parking voucher. The gates will then open to allow your exit.

Ensure you follow any instructions provided to you by the nurse regarding self-monitoring and self-isolation.

If your symptoms become severe (difficulty breathing, chest pain/tightness/crushing sensation, feeling confused, loss of consciousness) please call 911 or visit the closest Emergency department right away.

How to get your results

If you have taken a COVID-19 test, you can access and view your test results through the Ministry of Health’s online tool.

Locations

Birchmount Hospital

Birchmount Hospital
3030 Birchmount Road

Hours of operation
8 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Seven days a week

Outside of the hospital building, near the Emergency department and main entrance. Please follow the directions on-site.

For more details on arriving for your appointment and after completing your test, view instructions.

University of Toronto - Scarborough Campus (Highland Hall)

Our Assessement Centre at the University of Toronto – Scarborough Campus (Highland Hall) 1265 Military Trail will be opening on Tuesday, December 28.

University of Toronto – Scarborough Campus (Highland Hall)
1265 Military Trail

Hours of operation
8 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Seven days a week

IF DRIVING
Free parking is available in parking Lot A (across from Highland Hall).

  IF TAKING PUBLIC TRANSIT  
Ride the 905 Eglinton East Express, 38/38A Highland Creek, or 95B/95E York Mills and exit at “University of Toronto Scarborough Campus” Bus Loop. 

IF WALKING 
If walking from Ellesmere, follow the sidewalk along Military Trail to Highland Hall. Please do not enter other areas on campus. 

For more details on arriving for your appointment and after completing your test, view instructions.

Cold/Flu/COVID-19 Clinic

General Hospital

Our Cold/Flu/COVID-19 Clinic, located at our General hospital, is for patients who develop moderate symptoms common to COVID-19, the flu or a cold and need to see a doctor.

Learn more

Other resources

Hotlines

Telehealth Ontario
1-866-797-0000

Toronto Public Health
416-338-7600

Self-Assessment Tool

You can use the Government of Ontario’s self-assessment tool to help determine if you need to seek further care.

Self-Assessment Tool

Access your test results

If you have taken a COVID-19 test, you can access and view your test results from the Ministry of Health online through a new user-friendly tool. This is maintained by Ontario Health on behalf of the Ministry.

Access your results