Results for those tested for COVID-19 are available through a provincial online portal found at https://covid-19.ontario.ca/ . You will need a photo health card and personal details to log in. To allow for processing, check the online portal about 5 days after the test swab has been taken.

The Grey Bruce Health Unit will continue to contact all those whose results indicate positive. Further direction for self-isolation will be provided and contact tracing will be required of those individuals.

Beginning April 20, individuals who test negative will not be contacted directly. Test results are likely to take around 5 days to be processed by the lab, after which the result is posted online and the result sent to the Grey Bruce Health Unit. Those who do not have access to the online portal should wait about 5 days after the test swab has been taken and then call the Grey Bruce Health Unit at 1-800-263-3456 ext 3000.

Testing is a priority for older adults, vulnerable and high risk populations. This includes:

· All residents and staff of long-term care, assisted living and retirement homes.

· Anyone living on First Nations reserves with any new or worsening respiratory symptoms

· Those have the following medical conditions, and any new or worsening respiratory symptoms:

· Heart disease

· Lung disease

· Kidney disease

· Diabetes

· Immunocompromised, including HIV, autoimmune diseases, and those taking Immunomodulation medication

· Transplant recipients or donors

· Those who are on dialysis

· Those who have cancer

All those living in or working with those living in communal or shared settings such as shelters, group homes, etc., and who have any new or worsening respiratory symptoms

All First responders (paramedics, fire and police), and persons in same household with any new or worsening respiratory symptoms
Healthcare workers with any new or worsening respiratory symptoms, regardless of work setting

· This includes home care workers or others caregivers who go into the home

· This includes staff and volunteers in hospitals, long-term care and retirement homes who do not have direct contact with residents

All essential workers, with any new or worsening respiratory symptoms, in line with the current provincial list of workers as identified at: https://www.ontario.ca/page/list-essential-workplaces.
Workers living in Ontario, with any new or worsening respiratory symptoms, who cross the Canadian border for work.

Of note, travel history is no longer a criteria for testing.

Those listed above will be able to get swabbed at any of the assessment centres in Grey Bruce. Some primary care providers also provide swabbing; individuals should contact their primary health care provider to inquire if they require resting and where to access a test. Testing of individuals with no symptoms is generally not recommended.

source: media release, Grey Bruce Health Unit