Back to SearchNIPISSING & PARRY SOUND, ON - The North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit (Health Unit) has recently received a number of reports of individuals using rapid antigen tests to assess whether their symptoms or those of a family member are a result of COVID-19. The Health Unit would like to remind the public that this type of testing is used for COVID-19 screening only and is not to be used to determine whether someone with symptoms or a close contact of a case has COVID-19.
If you would like to be screened for COVID-19 and do not have any symptoms of illness and you have not been in contact with someone who has COVID-19, you may choose to seek Rapid Antigen Point of Care Testing at participating pharmacies and community laboratories.
“Although Rapid Antigen Screening Tests are a good tool for those who are not symptomatic, we do not recommend their use for symptomatic individuals. If someone tests positive on a rapid antigen screening test for COVID-19 they must then book a COVID-19 laboratory-based molecular test (PCR test) at a local COVID-19 Assessment Centre to confirm the rapid screening tool’s result,” explains Dr. Jim Chirico, Medical Officer of Health.
If you think you may have COVID-19 symptoms or have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive, first self-isolate and then use Ontario's Self-Assessment Tool to see if you need to seek further care and contact a COVID-19 assessment centre if you require testing.
For further assistance, call your health care provider or the Health Unit at 1-844-478-1400. If you have severe symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, you should call 911 and mention your symptoms.
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Media Inquiries:
Alex McDermid, Public Relations Specialist
P: 705-474-1400, ext. 5221 or 1-800-563-2808
E: communications@healthunit.ca
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