COVID-19 Testing
An overview* of our general guidelines for getting tested for COVID-19
*This is an overview and not designed to be medical advice. Be sure to ask your midwife questions specific to your health history and life situation.
Personal Exposure or Symptoms
If you:
Have been in casual or minimal contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID 19
Then you should:
You do not need to self-isolate or be swabbed. Continue usual COVID-19 precautions (social distance, masking, and hand washing) and monitor carefully for symptoms.
If you:
Have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19
Then you should:
Self-isolate until five days after the most recent contact, then be tested. Continue to self-isolate until your swab result is available.
If you:
Develop symptoms of COVID-19
Then you should:
Be tested as soon as possible. Self-isolate until your swab result is available.
If you:
Travel outside of Canada or travel to a COVID-19 “hotspot” within Canada
Then you should:
Self-isolate for 14 days and monitor for symptoms. If symptoms develop, get tested.
If you:
Are symptomatic OR had close contact with a person who has tested positive for COVID-19 but choose NOT to be tested
Then you should:
Self-isolate until:
14 days have elapsed AND
The person does not have a fever AND
Symptoms have been improving for at least 72 hours
A member of your household has had exposure or symptoms
If a member of your household:
Had close contact with someone who has tested positive but has NO symptoms
Then while awaiting the person’s swab results, you should:
You do not need to self-isolate or be swabbed. Continue usual COVID-19 precautions (social distance, masking, and hand washing) and monitor carefully for symptoms.
If a member of your household:
Had close contact with someone who has tested positive and is symptomatic
Then while awaiting the person’s swab results, you should:
Self-isolate until your household member receives a negative result.
If a member of your household:
Has had no close contact with someone who has tested positive but is symptomatic
Then while awaiting the person’s swab results, you should:
Self-isolate at home if you are a not a healthcare provider. If you are a healthcare provider and have no symptoms yourself, you should continue to work, but practice “work self-isolation protocols.”
If a member of your household:
Has tested positive for COVID-19
Then while awaiting the person’s swab results, you should:
Self-isolate. Public Health will contact you and provide further direction.
If a member of your household:
Tests negative for COVID-19
Then while awaiting the person’s swab results, you should:
You do not need to self-isolate. Continue usual COVID-19 precautions (social distance, masking, and hand washing) and monitor carefully for symptoms.
If a member of your household:
Is symptomatic OR had close contact with a person who has tested positive for COVID-19 but chooses NOT to be tested
Then you should:
Self-isolate until:
14 days have elapsed AND
The person does not have a fever AND
Symptoms have been improving for at least 72 hours