April 15, 2020 - The criteria for COVID-19 testing at the Assessment Centre of Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre was expanded late last week. The Thunder Bay District Health Unit (TBDHU) continues to refer people to the assessment centre based on that criteria, Individuals with symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 should contact the Thunder Bay District Health Unit at (807) 625-5900 or toll-free: 1-888-294-6630 to be assessed for potential testing.
Symptoms of COVID-19 include fever (38°C and over), cough, difficulty breathing, muscle aches, fatigue, headache, sore throat, runny nose, chills, or gastrointestinal symptoms (e.g. vomiting or diarrhea).
Currently the highest priority for testing includes:
- Symptomatic health care workers and staff providing direct and non-direct patient care
- Symptomatic residents and staff in long-term care facilities, retirement homes, and other communal living settings (e.g., correctional facilities, homeless shelters, group homes)
- Symptomatic travelers returning from outside Northwestern Ontario within the past 14 days
- Symptomatic members of remote, isolated, rural and/or indigenous communities
- Symptomatic first responders including police officers, firefighters and paramedics
- Symptomatic close contacts of confirmed or probable cases
There is now an Online Portal to access COVID-19 test results directly from the provincial laboratory system. This portal was launched on Sunday by the Government of Ontario and offers fast and secure access to test results on your computer and mobile device.
If you think you may have COVID-19 symptoms or have been in close contact with someone who has it, first self-isolate and then use Ontario's Self-Assessment Tool to see if you need to seek further care.
If individuals in self-isolation develop symptoms, they should contact the Thunder Bay District Health Unit at (807) 625-5900 or toll-free: 1-888-294-6630.
For additional information about COVID-19 and the TBDHU area, please see the TBDHU Website and social media channels. Additional updates will also be provided as needed.
Visit Ontario's website to learn more about how the province continues to protect Ontarians from COVID-19.
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For more information - Health Unit Media: news@tbdhu.com.