COVID-19 TESTING
Public Health Ontario does not currently recommend routine testing of asymptomatic persons for COVID-19 (outside of those recommended in the guidance from the Ministry of Health, or as directed by the public health unit for public health investigation). Please note that the Red Lake Covid Assessment Centre does not currently have the capacity for Covid testing related to travel (unless that travel is to a First Nation community). There are companies in Winnipeg and Thunder Bay, as well as other places throughout the province, that have private-pay testing available.
1. What is the test? This is a test to look for genetic material (RNA) of the COVID19 virus. Identifying positive patients and limiting their exposure to others will reduce spread.
2. No test is perfect. There is a chance that result is incorrect; for example, a negative test result may be wrong and the patient actually has COVID. This can happen if a patient inadvertently came in contact with COVID virus too recently to detect it yet or the swab didn’t sample the right cells.
3. This test is a snapshot in time. It doesn’t tell us if you may have contracted COVID several weeks ago (and are now clear) or guarantee you won’t develop COVID symptoms tomorrow if you are symptom free today.
4. Because it’s imperfect, a negative test result does not mean you can disregard any public health recommendations about social distancing or other measures recommended to you directly by our clinic or public health.
5. Results of the test (and some relevant history) will go to the public health unit.
6. A positive result, at least until June 30, will be accessible by fire, police and ambulance in Ontario
7. A positive test result will require immediate quarantine for 14 days. The Public Health unit will contact you to trace your close contacts and all of your close contacts will also be advised to self-isolate for 14 days.
8. The swab is taken by a swab deep in both sides of your nose. There is a generally transient discomfort and a very small risk of swab breakage.
9. There is also a risk of minimal bleeding.
10. If you develop new or worsening symptoms that concern you, you can contact the COVID Centre again 727-7035, Monday-Friday 9AM-12PM or your clinic or emergency room as appropriate
11. If you have general questions about COVID, self-isolation guidelines or other issues, you can contact your local Northwestern Health Unit or call the NWHU COVID hotline at 866-468-2240
1. What is the test? This is a test to look for genetic material (RNA) of the COVID19 virus. Identifying positive patients and limiting their exposure to others will reduce spread.
2. No test is perfect. There is a chance that result is incorrect; for example, a negative test result may be wrong and the patient actually has COVID. This can happen if a patient inadvertently came in contact with COVID virus too recently to detect it yet or the swab didn’t sample the right cells.
3. This test is a snapshot in time. It doesn’t tell us if you may have contracted COVID several weeks ago (and are now clear) or guarantee you won’t develop COVID symptoms tomorrow if you are symptom free today.
4. Because it’s imperfect, a negative test result does not mean you can disregard any public health recommendations about social distancing or other measures recommended to you directly by our clinic or public health.
5. Results of the test (and some relevant history) will go to the public health unit.
6. A positive result, at least until June 30, will be accessible by fire, police and ambulance in Ontario
7. A positive test result will require immediate quarantine for 14 days. The Public Health unit will contact you to trace your close contacts and all of your close contacts will also be advised to self-isolate for 14 days.
8. The swab is taken by a swab deep in both sides of your nose. There is a generally transient discomfort and a very small risk of swab breakage.
9. There is also a risk of minimal bleeding.
10. If you develop new or worsening symptoms that concern you, you can contact the COVID Centre again 727-7035, Monday-Friday 9AM-12PM or your clinic or emergency room as appropriate
11. If you have general questions about COVID, self-isolation guidelines or other issues, you can contact your local Northwestern Health Unit or call the NWHU COVID hotline at 866-468-2240
