Ontario’s new COVID-19 testing model rolls out Tuesday
Posted October 6, 2020 5:53 am.
Last Updated October 6, 2020 8:37 am.
With Ontario in the grips of a second wave of COVID-19 infections, a new testing model is being rolled out Tuesday, that means most people who think they may have the virus will be waiting several days to find out if they’re positive.
Starting Tuesday, you must have an appointment to receive a COVID-19 test.
Premier Doug Ford believes the frigid winter temperatures to come could be counter productive for public health, so the lines have to go.
With appointment-only tests, the premier said wait times for the centres may become longer — but overcrowding will decrease.
Ford is pleading with the public to have patience as the 77 assessment centres in the GTA switch systems.
The province has also changed its screening guidance, now saying that only symptomatic people, or those in high-risk groups, should seek out a test.
Testing centres closed Sunday to prepare for the newly launched model.
The province is facing a testing backlog of approximately 68,000 tests as of Tuesday morning.
Several centres are reporting their portals for booking are already showing no time slots for the next three to four days.
The COVID-19 Test Results page on Public Health Ontario’s website was briefly down Tuesday morning, but is up and running again.
