Read on Twitter
I just got tested for COVID-19 in Toronto. Here is what I learned:
tl;dr - fill out the online pre-screening form before you show up. (1/)
tl;dr - fill out the online pre-screening form before you show up. (1/)
If you are showing any symptoms OR you work outside your house OR you have come into contact with someone who has symptoms- get tested! Here are the Toronto Assessment Centres (2/) https://www.toronto.ca/home/covid-19/covid-19-what-you-should-do/covid-19-have-symptoms-or-been-exposed/covid-19-assessment-centres/
Some context. Ontario is under-testing. Their capacity is 20,000 tests/day. Their goal is 16,000 tests/day. And they’re way under both of those numbers. https://twitter.com/EdTubb/status/1264931242736259072
The premier has called for more people to get tested. If you are in a high-risk job or you are showing ANY symptoms, you can get tested. I do not have serious symptoms. With the call for more people to get tested, I now qualify. https://twitter.com/allisonmartell/status/1264678386934452231
I’ve been playing the game: “asthma or COVID?” since I started running again. I’m sure you’ve played some version of this game. Maybe yours is “allergies or COVID?”, “spring cold or COVID?”, “flare up or COVID?”. So I decided to ‘cheat’ at my game and find out for real.
FILL OUT THE PRE-SCREENING FORM. I filled out the pre-screening form this morning, got a call from a doctor, and was given a number. I went to Women’s College Hospital. There was a line of maybe 20 people who hadn’t been pre-screened, and a short line for priority or pre-screened
As you’re about to go in, you are given a mask & hand sanitizer. If you’ve been pre-screened, you go straight in to the test. Vitals (temperature through the ear, heart rate through a pulse oximeter), then the nasal swab. Very quick. I was given two brochures and shown the exit.
It took maybe 10 minutes from the time I got in line to the time I left the hospital. I was told I would get my results in 48 hours.
By the time I left, the non-screened line hadn’t moved at all. I don’t know how long it would take if you just showed up in line.
I recognize I’m very privileged. I had access to the online screening form and was able to get a call back. I have flexible work hours so I could go to the hospital during the day. If you know someone who needs help with this process, help them.
So, again, if you are showing any symptoms OR you work outside your house OR you have come into contact with someone who has symptoms- get tested! Here are the Toronto Assessment Centres: https://www.toronto.ca/home/covid-19/covid-19-what-you-should-do/covid-19-have-symptoms-or-been-exposed/covid-19-assessment-centres/
/end
/end
