Ontario shifts focus to symptomatic COVID testing
Lengthy lineups at assessment centres have forced change in protocol
TORONTO — People without COVID-19 symptoms should no longer be going to Ontario’s testing centres, the government said Thursday, as it looked to tackle crippling lineups at its assessment sites.
The significant change comes after the province spent months saying that anyone who wanted a test could get one.
Premier Doug Ford, who has faced weeks of criticism over long waits at assessment centres, said the province now needs to target those most at risk.
“Our message to the people is very, very simple,” he said. “There are two groups — people that want a test just for getting a test because they’ll feel a little more comfortable … or people who need a test. We have to focus on the people who need a test.”
Assessment centres will now test people with symptoms, those who’ve been exposed to a case and high-risk workers. Testing will also be available to people involved in outbreak investigations conducted by public health units.
The government said earlier this week that low-risk asymptomatic people can get appointment-only tests at up to 60 pharmacies but clarified Thursday that the initiative would only apply to certain individuals, such as those with loved ones in long-term-care homes or close contacts of a case.
That means some people with no symptoms who are simply seeking reassurance they don’t have the virus will not be able to access testing offered by the government.
Ontario’s associate chief medical officer of health said the province needs to focus on positive cases, their contacts, and outbreaks to trace and contain spread of the virus.
“Your average person out there who is not exposed to a case, is not part of an outbreak, or has no symptoms, should not be going for testing,” Dr. Barbara Yaffe said. “There is no value.”