Covid-19

16 Dec 2021 admin

Common Questions about COVID-19 Tests

The COVID-19 pandemic and its variants continue to have a serious impact on many Canadians. While provincial and local authorities and health officials are trying to keep ahead of the pandemic, they need to adjust their recommendations as more and more data and information comes in. Vaccines are a critical way to limit the spread of the coronavirus. They are effective and safe. With Canadians returning to the workplace, socializing, cross-border shopping, and looking to travel, COVID-19 tests have become an indispensable tool to identify pre-symptomatic and asymptomatic cases.

Is COVID-19 Rapid Testing Free in Canada?

The federal government has sent tens of millions of rapid COVID-19 tests to Canadian provinces and territories. The COVID-19 rapid tests provided by the federal government are given for free, it’s up to the individual provinces and territories to decide what they do with them. In Ontario, rapid tests are offered for free to businesses and have been distributed to schools in areas of high transmission. Aside from that, rapid tests have not been made available to Ontarians, free of charge. The same goes for British Columbia and other provinces. But advocates are calling on provincial governments to make COVID-19 rapid tests more widely available and free for anyone who wants them.

Why Is Rapid Testing Being Implemented in Your Workplace?

With more and more Canadians heading back to their offices, many businesses have implemented rapid testing programs. Business and not-for-profit organizations are eligible to apply for the free rapid COVID-19 test program. Rapid COVID-19 tests are used as a screening tool, providing businesses with an added layer of security for workplaces, beyond workplace screening measures. A key benefit to rapid COVID-19 tests in the workplace is that they can identify individuals infected with COVID-19 that regular symptom screening might otherwise miss. This ultimately helps prevent asymptomatic individuals from unknowingly spreading COVID-19 in the workplace.

How Are Samples Collected?

There are different ways to collect, test, and analyze results for COVID-19. Samples for COVID-19 tests can be collected through a nose swab, throat swab, and saliva sample. Rapid COVID-19 tests can be done easily and safely with individuals getting results in as little as 15 minutes. Rapid antigen tests are less sensitive than molecular (diagnostic) tests, but they can be performed anywhere (on-site, at home, or the workplace) by a health professional or trained individual. For laboratory-based testing, such as molecular PCR (polymerase chain reaction), the samples are sent to a lab with results generally provided in 1 to 3 days.

MD Connected – Telemedicine Clinics Near You

MD Connected is changing the way Canadians access the healthcare they deserve. We provide personalized virtual care and telemedicine clinics across Canada that meet their customers unique needs and preferences. You simply need to choose the option that’s right for you. If you’re looking to book a COVID-19 test in Ottawa, Toronto, or anywhere else in Ontario, you can visit one of our many telemedicine walk-in clinics located across Canada. They operate similar to a traditional clinic, except you speak with a licensed physician through a secure virtual call. Hundreds of thousands of Canadians have used MD Connected for general consultations, prescription renewal, sexual health, mental wellness, travel health, and sick notes and forms. MD Connected is led by a diverse team of doctors with varying backgrounds and provides its specialty services in multiple languages. To learn more about MD Connected, contact us by visiting www.mdconnected.ca or e-mail us at mydoc@mdconnected.ca.