COVID-19 Testing

If you think you may have COVID-19 or were exposed to the virus, follow these steps to take care of yourself and protect others.

• Step One: Confirm if you need to isolate
• Step Two: Get tested for COVID-19 if you are eligible
• Step Three: Inform your close contacts of their exposure

Please refer to the provincial case and contact management guidance for further details

Eligible for PCR COVID-19 Testing?

Members of the general public with mild symptoms are asked not to seek PCR testing. Publicly-funded PCR testing is only available for high-risk individuals. Please refer to pages 2-4 of the COVID-19 Provincial Testing Guidance for a list of eligible individuals..

Most individuals with a positive result from a rapid antigen test are no longer required or encouraged to get a confirmatory PCR or rapid molecular test.

If you test positive using a rapid antigen test, it is highly likely you have COVID‑19. You must isolate and determine the next step for others in your household – Step One: Confirm if you need to isolate

Public Assessment Centres

Public assessment centres can assess, test, and provide treatment options for people who know or suspect they have COVID-19 and who meet certain criteria.

You should visit one if you have symptoms and:

• are at higher risk for COVID-19 and need to get tested and assessed for treatment (including antiviral treatment)
• have been directed by your primary care provider

You do not need to have a positive test result to visit. You should bring a list of your medications and a list of any important medical conditions.

If you develop severe symptoms requiring medical attention, such as shortness of breath or chest pain, call 911 or go to the emergency department.

Sarnia-Lambton COVID-19 Assessment Centres Offering Access to COVID-19 Antiviral Treatments

An individual’s risk of serious illness is determined based on a combination of your health, age, and vaccination status, based on an assessment from a health care provider. This includes:

• Adults 18 years of age and older who are immunocompromised (have an immune system that is weakened by a health condition or medications)
• Adults 70 years and older with a clinical assessment, regardless of vaccination status
• Adults 60 years and older who have had fewer than three doses
• Adults 18 years and older who have had less than three doses and have risk conditions
• Unvaccinated pregnant individuals

For more information on eligibility, visit Ontario’s COVID-19 antiviral treatment screener.

Note: COVID-19 Antiviral Treatments are not substitutes for vaccines. The best defense against serious COVID-19 disease is to get vaccinated. To book a vaccination, visit GetTheVaccine.ca

High-risk individuals experiencing COVID-19 symptoms can contact their primary care provider to get tested and assessed for treatment right away. Individuals who do not have a primary care provider can book an appointment with a local COVID-19 Assessment Centre (find location here).

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If you are not eligible for a test but have symptoms of COVID-19, assume that you have COVID-19 and isolate:

for at least five days if you are:

• fully vaccinated
• under 12 years of age

for at least 10 days if you are:

• over the age of 12 and not fully vaccinated
• immunocompromised
• living in a highest risk setting

If you were exposed to someone with COVID-19, follow the guidance here: https://covid-19.ontario.ca/exposed.

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Public Assessment Centre Locations

All Public Assessment Centres are accessed by appointment only. Please follow the instructions below to book an appointment at a location you choose.
*NOTE: Hours are subject to change due to holidays.

Sarnia Lambton COVID-19 Assessment Centres

LOCATION	HOURS
Twin Bridges Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic 153 Christina Street South, Sarnia   Book your appointment Phone for appointments ONLY if you cannot access the internet. Call: 226-776-9030 French and sign language is available.	Monday to Thursday 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Rapids Family Health Team 1150 Pontiac Drive, Sarnia Book your appointment Phone appointments ONLY if you cannot access the internet. Call: 519-491-5395	Monday & Tuesday 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Wednesday & Thursday 11:30 a.m. – 8 p.m. Friday 8 a.m. – 12 noon

Rural Lambton COVID-19 Assessment Centres

LOCATION	HOURS
Plympton-Wyoming Health & Wellness Centre 596 Broadway Street, Wyoming   Please book online by going to app.getcorigan.ca Choose from available times and schedule tests when it is convenient for you. If unable to book online, email covidclinic@clfht.com. Spanish and Arabic language is available.	COVID-19 Testing Monday, Tuesday, & Thursday 12 noon to 7:00 p.m. COVID-19 Positive – Respiratory Assessments Monday, Tuesday, & Thursday 4 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. By appointment only
Grand Bend Area Community Assessment Centre 69 Main St. E, Grand Bend Call: 519-238-2362 or book a COVID-19 test appointment online	Tuesday & Friday 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. By appointment only

Indigenous Health Centre – Assessment Centre for Indigenous Peoples

*Indigenous Health Centres are only offering testing to members of their First Nation Communities.

• Walpole Island Health Centre
  • Call 519-627-0765
• Kettle & Stony Point First Nation
  • Call 519-786-5647 
• Aamjiwnaang First Nation
  • Call 519-332-6770 ext. 305

Rapid Antigen Testing (RAT)

Rapid antigen testing may be used for routine, repeated screening of people with no symptoms to identify and prevent cases of COVID-19 in hospitals, long-term care and retirement homes, and other high-risk settings as an added layer of safety. Rapid antigen testing may also be used to test people with symptoms to find out the likelihood that their symptoms are related to COVID-19.

If you or someone you live with gets a positive result on a rapid antigen test, you must isolate:

• for at least five days if you are:
  • fully vaccinated
  • under 12 years of age
• for at least 10 days if you are:
  • over the age of 12 and not fully vaccinated
  • immunocompromised
  • living in a highest risk setting

A positive result:

• is a good indication that you have COVID-19
• usually does not need to be confirmed by a PCR test
• does not need to be reported to public health

A negative result:

• on a single test cannot rule out COVID-19 infection by itself
• if you have symptoms, should be followed by a second test 24 to 48 hours later if available. If your second test taken within 48 hours of your first negative result is also negative, this most likely means you do not have COVID-19 and may come out of isolation when have not had a fever for 24 hours and other symptoms are improving for at least 24 hours (or 48 hours if gastrointestinal symptoms).

If you feel unwell but do not have symptoms of COVID-19, you should isolate until your symptoms have improved for at least 24 hours (or 48 hours if the symptoms affect the digestive system).

Where can I get rapid antigen testing?

Ontarians can get a free rapid testing kit for at-home use through participating pharmacy and grocery locations. Please check the provincial website to find participating locations.

Businesses may also be able to access rapid antigen testing kits for use within their organization. Refer to the below programs for more details including eligibility: 

• Sarnia Lambton Chamber of Commerce Program – Stay Safe Lambton
• Provincial Antigen Screening Program – Free rapid tests for organizations 
• Federal rapid antigen test initiative 

Many pharmacies also provide rapid antigen testing to individuals for a cost. This includes for travel purposes. Refer to the Testing for Travel section for locations.

How to Perform a Rapid Antigen Test

Watch this video for instructions and tips. Ontario Health also outlines How to Collect a Sample using combined oral and nasal samples that may increase test sensitivity.

Test Results

All individuals can access their test results from the provincial website: covid-19.ontario.ca.

Test results are typically available in 2-10 days and depend on testing volume at the time. Lambton Public Health does not receive test results sooner than what is available on the provincial website. If you are unable to access your test result, please contact the facility you were tested at.

If you have received a negative test result, please continue to follow public health safety measures to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Lambton Public Health or the Provincial Workforce (the province) will contact you only if you have a positive COVID-19 PCR test result.