COVID-19 Testing

Man Being Tested for COVID-19

Contact(s)

Last updated: Jan 20, 2022

Most people who have COVID-19 symptoms should not seek testing at an assessment centre. Assessment centres are prioritizing PCR tests (also known as molecular tests) for people who are at a greater risk of severe outcomes from COVID-19, and those who live or work in highest risk settings.

If you fall under the eligibility criteria below, you may call to book an appointment to get tested at your local assessment centre. Please note assessment centres do not accept walk-ins.

If you have at least one COVID-19 symptom, you are eligible for PCR testing if you are:

  • a hospitalized patient;
  • a patient in an emergency department, at the discretion of the treating clinician;
  • a patient-facing health care worker;
  • a staff member, volunteer, resident, inpatient, essential care provider, or visitor in a hospital or congregate living setting (including long-term care, retirement homes, First Nation elder care lodges, group homes, shelters, hospices, temporary foreign worker settings and correctional institutions);
  • an outpatient being considered for COVID-19 treatment;
  • underhoused or homeless;
  • someone who has been exposed, or a close contact of someone exposed, to a confirmed or suspected outbreak in a high risk setting, including a hospital, long-term care, retirement home, other congregate living setting or institution, or other settings as directed by the local public health unit;
  • an elementary or secondary student or education staff who has received a PCR self-collection kit, if available through your school.

If you do not have symptoms, you are eligible for PCR testing if you:

  • are from a First Nation, Inuit, or Métis community or are travelling into these communities for work;
  • are unvaccinated and being admitted or transferred to or from a hospital or congregate living setting;
  • are someone who has been exposed, or a close contact of someone exposed, to a confirmed or suspected outbreak in a high risk setting, including a hospital, long-term care, retirement home, other congregate living setting or institution, or other settings as directed by the local public health unit;
  • have written prior approval for out-of-country medical services from the General Manager of OHIP or are a caregiver for someone who does;
  • are in a hospital, long-term care, retirement home or other congregate living setting, as directed by public health units, provincial guidance or other directives.

If you are still unsure, take this self-assessment to determine if you need to be tested.

If you are not eligible

If you have COVID-19 symptoms but are not eligible for PCR testing at an assessment centre, you have the option to book an appointment to speak with a health care professional at one of the following locations:

Bracebridge Assessment Centre  

75 Ann St.
Bracebridge

1-888-383-7009; press 1 for Bracebridge

  • By appointment only
  • The Assessment Centre is located in a portable adjacent to the helipad at the back of the South Muskoka Memorial Hospital property. It is not located inside the hospital.

More information

Huntsville Assessment Centre

Active Living Centre
20 Park Dr.
Huntsville, ON

1-888-383-7009; press 2 for Huntsville

North Bay Regional Health Centre

50 College Dr.
North Bay, ON

705-474-8600 ext. 4110 

  • By appointment only
  • Located in the main COVID-19 Assessment Centre

West Parry Sound Assessment Centre 

70 Joseph St.
Unit 105-106
Parry Sound

 705-746-4540 ext. 5030

  • By appointment only 
  • Phone consultation available 

More information

Notes: 

  • Individuals with underlying medical conditions should consult their primary care provider before booking an assessment.  
  • If you are experiencing urgent or emergent symptoms such as extreme shortness of breath or chest pain, visit the hospital’s emergency department.
  • You will not be tested in the emergency department if you have mild smptoms and are ineligible for testing at an Assessment Centre, unless clinically relevant. 
  • You may be referred back to quarantine, primary care or the emergency department if there are concerning findings on the respiratory assessment. 

Please see our What to do if Symptomatic, Positive or Exposed page.

Where to Get Tested

Eligible individuals can get tested at the following locations:

Almaguin (East Parry Sound Mobile Assessment Centre)

South River Ambulance Base
11313 Hwy 124
South River

Book an appointment: 705-774-8378

This location does not test people who are in need of a COVID-19 swab for travel purposes. 

Bracebridge COVID-19 Assessment Centre

75 Ann St.
Bracebridge

Book an appointment: 1-888-383-7009; press 1 for Bracebridge

The Assessment Centre is located in a portable adjacent to the helipad at the back of the South Muskoka Memorial Hospital property. It is not located inside the hospital.

Huntsville COVID-19 Assessment Centre

Active Living Centre
20 Park Dr.
Huntsville
  • Walk-ins are now welcome at this location.
  • Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
  • To book an appointment, call 1-888-383-7009 and press 2 for Huntsville

More information

Mattawa COVID-19 Assessment Centre

Hôpital de Mattawa Hospital
217 Turcotte Pk Rd
Mattawa

Book an appointment: 705-744-5511 ext. 3010

North Bay COVID-19 Assessment Centre

50 College Dr.
North Bay

Book an appointment: 705-474-8600 ext. 4110

More information

West Nipissing COVID-19 Assessment Centre

Book an appointment: 705-753-3110 ext. 357
Location: in the West Nipissing General Hospital Medical Clinic at 172 Ethel St., Pod #5.

8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Monday to Friday

A parking token will be provided to clients attending the COVID-19 Assessment Centre. 

West Parry Sound COVID-19 Assessment Centre

70 Joseph St.
Unit 105-106
Parry Sound

Book an appointment: 705-746-4540 ext. 5030

Entrance at the back door.

Please ring doorbell at the time of your appointment and stand back past the sign as directed.

If you are travelling internationally:

Visit www.rapidscreen.ca to book a test for travel. There is a fee for this service.

Rapid Antigen Tests

At this time, we are not providing rapid antigen tests.

RATs are an additional screening method to help stop the spread of COVID-19 in workplaces. Since they are used for employees with no symptoms, some workplaces may require RATs as part of their vaccine policy. 

  • Employers can choose to have workers test on-site or at home before entering the work premises.
  • RATs take about 15 minutes to produce results.
  • RATs can be used on an individual up to 2-3 times per week.
  • RATs are not to be used to screen customers/clients or the general public.
  • Rapid Antigen Testing is now available at participating pharmacies.

For more information about RATs, please visit ontario.ca/TestingOnSite.

RAT Training

Anyone who is trained can perform RATs. To be considered trained, watch and review the Testing materials on Ontario Health's COVID-19 Health System Response Materials webpage. Click the link below and scroll down to Training and Resources.

Get Trained

More Information

To check if your workplace is eligible to get free RATs through the Provincial Antigen Screening Program, please visit the Government of Ontario website.

The Chambers of Commerce in North Bay, West Nipissing, and Parry Sound are offering RATs for small businesses. Please visit the links below for more information:

North Bay & District Chamber of Commerce Rapid Antigen Screening Program 

West Nipissing Chamber of Commerce Rapid Tests 

Parry Sound Area Chamber of Commerce Rapid Tests 

Test Results

Getting Your Results from a test completed at a local Assessment Centre

  • Test results are taking roughly 48 hours to come back. Visit the Ministry of Health's COVID-19 Test Result website to access your results. Once you get your results, instructions will be provided to you online. For more information, see COVID-19 testing.
  • If your test result is indeterminate, check back in 24 hours as it may mean the test is still in progress.
  • If you have been tested for COVID-19 and do not have a health card, please contact the Health Unit at 1-844-478-1400 for support with accessing your results.

Please Note:

  • Test results are only a snapshot in time. People can be exposed to COVID-19 and test negative before the virus reveals itself.
  • People with negative results can still be infected with COVID-19 after they are tested.

More information:

North Bay

345 Oak Street West
705-474-1400

Parry Sound

70 Joseph Street Unit #302
705-746-5801

Burk's Falls

17 Copeland Street (by appointment only)
1-800-563-2808