Updated Provincial COVID-19 Testing Guidelines

For Immediate Release                                                                                                         

December 31, 2021

Brantford, ON – In response to the evolving situation related to the COVID-19 Omicron variant of concern (VOC), the Ministry of Health has provided updated guidance on testing, and case, contact and outbreak management. This guidance is to be used as an interim update, and takes priority over all other guidance documents on the Ministry’s website and Brant Community Healthcare System (BCHS) website prior to December 31, 2021.

Changes to Eligibility for PCR Testing

In order to conserve PCR tests for the highest-risk groups/individuals in our community, PCR and rapid testing is limited to the following populations:

• Symptomatic people who are inpatients/outpatients/residents at hospitals and long-term care facilities.
• Symptomatic people seeking emergency medical care.
• Symptomatic people who work in patient facing roles, or are staff, volunteers, essential care partners, or visitors in hospitals and congregate living settings.
• Symptomatic people who are underhoused or homeless.
• Symptomatic elementary and secondary students and education staff who have received a PCR self-collection kit through their school.
• Symptomatic/asymptomatic people who are from First Nation, Inuit, and Métis communities and individuals travelling into these communities for work.
• Symptomatic/asymptomatic people on admission/transfer to or from hospitals or congregate living settings.
• High risk contacts and symptomatic/asymptomatic people in the context of confirmed or suspected outbreaks in highest risk settings as directed by the local public health unit.  
• Individuals, and one accompanying caregiver, with written prior approval for out-of-country medical services from the General Manager, OHIP.
• Asymptomatic testing in high risk settings as per provincial guidance and/or Directives, or as directed by public health units.

The COVID-19 Assessment Centre at the Brantford Civic Centre will be honouring all current appointments for the next 5 days, until January 4, 2022.

Rapid Antigen Testing (RAT)

Positive results from Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) should also be considered confirmed cases of COVID-19 and no longer require a PCR confirmatory test.

As we are prioritizing all COVID-19 testing for high-risk groups/individuals, PCR and rapid testing is no longer being recommended for all individuals with symptoms compatible with COVID-19.

Symptomatic individuals who are ineligible for PCR/rapid testing are advised to self-isolate as soon as possible after symptom onset.

Most common symptoms of COVID-19 that require immediate self-isolation and testing for eligible individuals include:

• Fever (temperature of 37.8°C/100.0°F or greater) and/or chills
• Cough (that is new or worsening (e.g. continuous, more than usual if chronic cough) including croup (barking cough, making a whistling noise when breathing)
• Shortness of breath (dyspnea, out of breath, unable to breathe deeply, wheeze, that is worse than usual if chronically short of breath)
• New olfactory or taste disorder (decrease or loss of smell or taste)

Other symptoms of COVID-19 in adults (>18 years old) can include:

• Fatigue, lethargy, or malaise (general feeling of being unwell, lack of energy, extreme tiredness) that is unusual or unexplained
• Myalgias (muscle aches and pain) that are unexplained, unusual, or long-lasting

Other symptoms of COVID-19 in children (<18 years old):

• Nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea

If you are symptomatic but have had two doses of an approved COVID-19 vaccine, you must self-isolate for at least 5 days since symptom onset AND until symptoms have improved over 24 hours, whichever is longer.

If you are symptomatic but have not had two doses of an approved COVID-19 vaccine, you must self-isolate for at least 10 days AND until symptoms have improved over 24 hours, whichever is longer.

Please note: All household members of the symptomatic individual, regardless of vaccination status, should stay at home while the symptomatic individual is isolating. If they develop symptoms, they should follow isolation directions for symptomatic individuals and if eligible seek testing.

As this is an evolving situation, please be advised that these guidelines are subject to change.

Thank you for your continued co-operation in keeping our community safe and well.

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Media Contact:

BCHS Communications & Public Affairs

Communications@bchsys.org

519-751-5544