(Stock Photo)

The Ministry of Health and Wellness has advised that COVID-19 testing will be prioritised for persons who have symptoms in keeping with the viral illness, and for persons regarded as primary contacts of COVID-19 cases.

This decision is being made in recognition of the large numbers of persons who have come forward for testing who do not need to be.

These primary contacts are defined as people who were in close contact with persons known to be positive for COVID-19 (confirmed by a lab test), at a distance of less than six feet, for a period of more than 15 minutes without wearing a mask. Such persons, once identified through contact tracing, will be quarantined and tested.

If persons know that they have been in contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case, they should contact their polyclinic, or call the COVID-19 hotline at 536-4500.

A secondary contact is defined as anyone who was in contact with a primary contact.  Secondary contacts are not required to get tested or be quarantined.

Only if the primary contact becomes positive would the secondary contact then be considered as a primary contact, and should be tested.

Ministry of Health and Wellness

Pin It on Pinterest