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Province Updates COVID-19 Testing Strategy

Thursday, 6 January 2022 at 17:20

By Linda Morgan

Ontario's top doctor now recommends rapid antigen tests for people with symptoms, those without symptoms who wish to screen and "test to work" purposes.

Ontario's Chief Medical Officer of Health provided the public with an update on the province's COVID-19 testing strategy. 

Dr. Kieran Moore says people with symptoms who have two negative rapid antigen test results taken within 24-48 hours are less likely to be infected with the virus. 

In those cases, individuals are advised to self-isolate for at least 24 hours until symptoms improve, or 48 hours in the case of gastrointestinal symptoms.

Frequent rapid antigen tests are recommended for people without symptoms and without known exposure as screening, in order to identify pre-symptomatic or asymptomatic cases. 

The tests are not advised for one-off use, due to the risk of false negative results. 

Moore also recommends tests for "test to work" purposes in critical work shortages, where staff are able to return to work when they would otherwise be self isolating at home in cases such as a known exposure to the virus. 

Officials also note that the federal government has committed to sending 54.3 million rapid antigen tests this month. 

Tests are being prioritized for settings such as long-term care and retirement homes, hospitals, shelters, other congregate care settings, and Indigenous communities. 

Further supply will go to education settings and workplaces with mandatory vaccination or testing mandates. 

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