Testing for COVID-19

To consider:

  • Will you be testing in your office or sending patients elsewhere?
  • If you’re testing in your office:
    • Separate entrance?
    • Drive thru?
  • Homebound patients – will you be providing mobile swab access?

Testing criteria/case definition

  • Provincial testing guidance from Ministry of Health – September 24, 2020
  • Testing and clearance – quick guidance from Ministry of Health – July 29, 2020
  • Click here to access the most updated case definition as defined by the Ministry of Health.
  • Reference document of symptoms from Ministry of Health – August 6, 2020
  • Guidance on Swabs for Testing and Sample Collection – Instructions for COVID-19 – Middlesex London Public Health

If you decide to swab in office:

How to get swabs for your office
  • Public Health Zurich ordering form
  • Zurich Health Swab Kit Request Form
How to collect swab:
  • Link to NEJM Youtube Video on swab collection
Requisition
  • Public Health Zurich COVID-19 swab requisition
Handout for Patients post-swab:
  • Southwestern Public Health’s post-swab handout to patients
Where to send swabs? How?
  • Special considerations:
    • If using a community lab (i.e., Lifelabs or Dynacare), call ahead to let them know you have COVID swabs to send.
    • COVID swabs sent via community labs often have to be packaged in a special box and the lab driver often provides this at time of pick-up.
How do I assess a patient with COVID symptoms on the telephone or virtually?
  • BMJ infographic on providing virtual assessments 
Current testing locations:
Assessment Centres
  • Elgin
    • Patients can book an appointment at the Assessment Centre directly. Number to call is: 519-631-2020, x 6210
    • If they are not sure whether they need a swab, they should book a telephone consult with you and you can refer them if necessary.
  • Grey Bruce
    • Patients and providers may call any of the numbers below to ask about testing:
      • Owen Sound Hospital 519-378-1466
      • Kincardine Hospital 519-396-3331, ext. 4313
      • Hanover Hospital 519-364-2340, ext. 217
  • Huron Perth
    • Patients should call primary care provider to be assessed and sent for testing.
    • Patients without a family doctor should call Huron Perth Public Health at 1-888-221-2133, ext. 3267.
    • At this time, drive thru assessment sites require pre-arrangement/ appointment and may be scheduled at HPHA sites, Goderich Knights of Columbus Assessment Centre, or Listowel Assessment Centre
  • London Middlesex
    • Contact your healthcare provider
    • Visit a COVID-19 Assessment Centre in London
  • Oxford – patients can calling testing centres directly for an appointment
    • Woodstock Hospital: 1-855-905-6148
    • Tillsonburg District Memorial Hospital: 1-855-905-6148 
Reporting to Public Health

This section pertains to reporting of patient cases. Employers also have a duty to report cases of staff diagnosed with COVID-19 – see the Health and Safety section for more.

%d bloggers like this: