Coronavirus (COVID)
COVID-19 Testing
Ressources en Français
Contact Us
For COVID-19 health information:
COVID Hotline: 905-974-9848
For COVID-19 Vaccines:
Call 905-974-9848, option 7
For Isolation questions:
Ministry COVID-19 Testing & Isolation Info Line
Call 1-888-777-0730
For Quarantine compliance issues:
Public Health Agency of Canada
Call1-833-784-4397
For general inquiries complete the online form
Have flu, COVID or cold symptoms and looking for medical support?
To help reduce pressure at significantly strained local hospital emergency departments, Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS) and St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton (SJHH) have opened Flu, COVID & Cold Clinics, in partnership with primary care doctors.
For children and youth (17 and younger), learn more about the walk-in clinic at McMaster Children’s Hospital, including hours of operation, go to www.hamiltonhealthsciences.ca/coldandflu
For those 18+, learn more about the clinic at SJHH’s West 5th Campus, including hours of operation and how to book an appointment, go to www.StJoes.ca/FluCOVIDCold.
PCR testing for close contacts, people with symptoms, outbreaks and others
Who may be tested at a Testing & Assessment Centre
Testing Centres will only test those who fall within the Ontario provincial guidelines.
Outpatients for whom a diagnostic test is required for clinical management is at the discretion of the treating clinician.
If you are in distress (e.g., significant trouble breathing, chest pain, fainting, or have a significant worsening of any chronic disease symptoms), do not go to the Testing & Assessment Centre. Go to the nearest Emergency Department or call 911.
Book a COVID-19 Test for PCR Testing
Testing is done by appointment only, no walk-ins.
- New appointments will come online as they become available. If there are few or no appointments available to book online, check the website in a few hours. We release any appointments available for booking online as they are identified.
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If you need assistance scheduling an appointment at the St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton Mountain Assessment Centre, please call 905-522-1155 ext. 35445.
If you have questions about testing, contact the Ontario Ministry of Health Testing and Isolation Line 1-888-777-0730.
If you have questions about your results, visit the Hamilton Public Health Services Test Results webpage or contact your family doctor, nurse practitioner or a local walk-in clinic.
If you have questions about obtaining your results for tests completed by St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton Mountain Assessment Centre please contact Health Information Management:
Phone: 905-522-1155 ext. 35504 or 33415
Email: [email protected]
Cancel your appointment at St. Joe’s or Hamilton Health Sciences locations as soon as possible if you do not plan on getting tested: www.stjoes.ca/coronavirus/covid-19-test-cancellation
Testing & Assessment Centres in Hamilton
St. Joe’s Testing and Assessment Centre (West 5th Campus)
100 West 5th St., Hamilton, Ontario
Medical Outpatient Clinic (level 0 – accessible by door beside the Outpatient Entrance facing Fennell Ave
Hours of operation:
Monday to Friday, 4:30 pm to 9 pm
Saturday & Sunday, 8 am to 4 pm
Access: booked appointment only
Pharmacies
PCR testing will occur at participating pharmacies by appointment for eligible individuals as identified above.
Individuals must follow public health measures when going for a test, including wearing a mask and keeping distanced from others.
Testing for people who are not close contacts, do not have symptoms, or need tests for travel
Who may be tested at a pharmacy?
Ontario COVID-19 clinical assessments and testing
Pharmacy and Lab Testing Locations
Participating pharmacies and labs for those without COVID-19 symptoms.
Individuals must follow public health measures when going for a test, including wearing a mask, practising physical distancing and cleaning hands frequently. If you are feeling sick on the day of your appointment, please stay home and re-schedule your test.
Testing for Travel
The Ontario Government does not cover the cost of COVID-19 testing for travel. These tests are only available at private laboratories for a fee. Please ensure you book the test required by the location you are travelling to.
Individuals who are seeking clearance for travel must get tested at a participating pharmacy or lab.
Self-collection Kits for PCR Testing
- Lab-based PCR self-collection kits can be picked up at participating pharmacies by individuals. The self-collection kits will contain instructions on how to use it at home.
- A collected specimen has a 24-hour shelf life, and it is very important that the specimen (nasal swab) is collected in the morning of the day that it is being dropped-off. Individuals will drop off the collected specimens sealed in the provided baggie at the pharmacy to be sent for processing in a lab.
- Check the provincial online portal to get your COVID-19 test results. You will need your health card number to access these results. It may take up to 7 days for your results to appear online.
- How to complete a self-collection kit for PCR testing? Self-collection instruction sheet(PDF, 612.26 KB)
Positive RAT results in community or non-high risk settings do not require PCR/rapid molecular confirmatory testing.
Positive RAT tests do NOT need to be reported to Hamilton Public Health Services.
Positive results from molecular point-of-care testing results should be considered confirmed cases and no longer require a PCR confirmatory test.
Rapid testing does not replace public health measures such as symptom screening, physical distancing, masking and hand hygiene. Rapid testing does not prevent someone from getting COVID-19.
A negative test result does not guarantee that you are not infected with COVID-19 or will not spread it to others. False negatives with POC antigen tests are common. Continue to follow all public health guidance to help prevent the spread.
The Ministry of Health outlines several distinct uses for rapid antigen tests (RATs), including:
- Screen testing
- One-off, non-routine/infrequent asymptomatic testing
- For people with symptoms
- For test-to-work purposes
Types of Point of Care Tests (POCT)
There are two kinds of point of care tests (POCT): molecular and antigen tests.
Antigen POCT
Rapid antigen testing may be used to confirm if a symptomatic individual has COVID-19, with no requirement for a confirmatory PCR or rapid molecular test. Please refer to eligibility criteria above for individuals who should seek confirmatory PCR testing after receiving a positive rapid antigen test. For all other individuals, if you receive a positive Rapid Antigen test result, consider yourself as positive for COVID-19, immediately isolate and notify your contacts. A negative result on a single test cannot rule out a COVID-19 infection by itself. If you have symptoms, take 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.
Molecular POCT
Molecular testing is for both diagnostic and screening purposes. A confirmatory test is not required. All POCT final positives from molecular tests must be reported to the local public health unit.
Individuals who are required to complete regular screening for work purposes are not eligible for testing at Assessment Centres. Speak with your employer to access Rapid Antigen testing.
How to access a raid antigen test (RAT)
Free Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) are available at participating grocery stores and pharmacies in Ontario. Schools and child care centres also have a supply of rapid antigen tests for students and staff if needed.
Who can access rapid antigen testing:
- People with symptoms of COVID-19
- People without symptoms of COVID-19 for screening purposes
Anyone who receives a positive result through their rapid test should consider themselves as positive for COVID-19, immediately isolate and notify contacts. Only those who individuals who meet the eligibility criteria outlined above should seek confirmatory PCR testing at a COVID-19 Testing & Assessment Centre or participating pharmacy. These persons should also notify their employer for further direction.
Screen testing is frequent, systematic testing of people who do not have symptons (i.e. are asymptomatic) and without known exposure to a COVID-19 case with the goal of identifying cases.
Screen testing with RATs involves routine testing one or more times per week. Individuals in non-highest risk settings participating in routine asymptomatic RAT testing who have a positive result do not require a PCR/rapid molecular confirmatory test.
- If an asymptomatic individual without a known exposure to a COVID-19 case decides to complete a RAT outside of routine screening programs, for example prior to a social event/gathering/visit in a non-highest risk setting, then they should complete it as close to the event as possible (e.g. on the same day, ideally within a few hours of the event).
- There are limitations to a negative RAT result including:
- RATs have low sensitivity for COVID-19 in people who are asymptomatic and without a known exposure to a confirmed case of COVID-19.
- People infected with COVID-19 may test negative for several days before testing positive on RAT. Therefore, a negative test may represent a false negative and the infection status of the individual may change within hours of taking the test.
- Those with a negative one-off RAT should still follow existing public health measures including masking and limiting contacts.
If Rapid Antigen Testing is available to the person with any COVID-19 symptoms (see www.ontario.ca/expose), a RAT may be used to assess the likelihood that symptoms are related to COVID-19.
A positive RAT is highly indicative that the individual has COVID-19 Individuals who test positive for COVID-19 or have symptoms should self isolate and follow these instructions:
- Guidance for household members of individuals who test positive for RATs
- More information is also available online at www.ontario.ca/expose.
- If two consecutive RATs, separated by 24-48 hours, are both negative, the symptomatic individual is less likely to have COVID-19 infection, and the individual is advised to self-isolate until symptoms are improving for at least 24 hours (or 48 hours if gastrointestinal symptoms).
- Positive RAT tests in the community do NOT need to be reported to Hamilton Public Health Services. Highest risk settings should notify PHUs of a positive RAT result, if the positive individual does not go for PCR confirmation. PCR confirmation of RAT in highest risk is not required, however to allow for timely investigation, the workplace should notify public health.
- Organizations (i.e., workplaces) that participate in rapid testing assume any operational, medical, and/or legal responsibilities relating to this initiative.
- You must have a procedure in place to provide follow up on test results.
- You must have clear processes in place to respond, should any individuals in your organization be exposed to or diagnosed with COVID-19.
- For more information about participating please review the Ministry of Health's COVID-19 Guidance: Considerations for Privately Initiated Testing
- The Hamilton Chamber of Commerce is offering free rapid testing kits for Small and Medium Businesses (with fewer than 150 employees). Details: www.hamiltonrapidtests.ca
How do businesses enroll in a rapid testing program?
The Government of Canada is working with pharmacies to make test kits available for a cost at several locations in Ontario.
The Provincial Antigen Screening Program (PASP) provides free rapid antigen test kits to high-risk communities, organizations and workplaces. Check eligibility.
The program is available to all organizations that require employees to be physically present on site at the workplace.
Businesses with fewer than 150 employees can order free rapid antigen test kits for their businesses through the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce. Businesses with over 150 employees can order directly from the Ontario government .
How do members of the public get rapid testing kits?
Rapid testing kits can be obtained:
- From the Ontario government, dependent on supply
- At select pharmacies or through private organizations
- Schools and child care centres also have a supply of rapid antigen tests for students and staff if needed
If employees recently had a COVID-19 infection, should they participate in Rapid Antigen Testing?
Individuals who have previously been diagnosed with and cleared of COVID-19 infection may resume asymptomatic screening testing 30 days after their COVID-19 infection (based on the date of their positive result).
How should organizations and individuals dispose of the rapid antigen test?
Waste from COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Test Kits that are being used at home should be double bagged and may be disposed of in a garbage container.
If this biomedical waste is being generated by a property which is ineligible for municipal collection, then it would need to be collected through a private waste hauler. Examples of ineligible properties would include medical facilities/large clinics, schools, and institutional facilities.
For further information, call 905-546-CITY (2489)
Workplaces should follow provincial guidance for waste disposal.
What are the next steps if someone tests positive?
Positive RAT results in community or non high-risk settings do not require PCR/rapid molecular confirmatory testing and should be considered as true positives. Individuals with positive RAT results should self-isolate immediately and follow these instructions.
If I have symptoms but the RAT test is negative does this mean that I don’t have to self-isolate?
If you fail a self-screening tool or receive direction to self-isolate (e.g. have symptoms or are a household contact) you are still required to self-isolate even if your RATS test is negative.
A negative result on a single test cannot rule out a COVID-19 infection by itself. If you have symptoms, take 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. After your second negative test, continue to isolate until you do not have a fever and symptoms are improving for at least 24 hours (or 48 hours if gastrointestinal symptoms).
How likely is it that a positive result is accurate?
Rapid antigen tests are more likely to produce a false negative than a false positive result, i.e. it is more likely that the test will show that you don’t have COVID-19 when you do have it than report that you do have it when you don’t.
If a rapid antigen test comes back as positive it is usually because there is a significant viral load that could be detected (the person is infectious).
For individuals who are eligible, a positive rapid antigen test should be followed up with a confirmatory PCR test. For individuals who not eligible for PCR testing, a positive result on a RAT test should be viewed as a true positive result.
Positive RAT tests do NOT need to be reported to Hamilton Public Health Services.
How to complete rapid antigen testing
Additional Resources
COVID-19 Guidance: Considerations for Privately Initiated Testing
Management of Cases and Contacts of COVID-10 in Ontario
COVID-19 Test and Testing Locations
Rapid testing for at-home use
Interim Guidance for the Use of Rapid Antigen Detection Tests
Hamilton Chamber Rapid Testing: Frequently Asked Questions
Get Your Test Results
- Sign up for the patient portal MyDovetale. MyDovetale will provide you the quickest access to your test results. You will receive a notification as soon they become available and can print the results. If you need help, email [email protected].
- Check the provincial online portal to get your COVID-19 test results. You will need your health card number to access these results. It may take up to 7 days for your results to appear online.
- If the online portal indicates your test results are unavailable, contact your family doctor to ask if they can look up your result on Clinical Connect. Due to high volumes, lab results may take 3 - 5 days and sometimes more to appear on Clinical Connect.
- If you are unable to register for a MyDovetale account or you would like to receive a copy of your results via secure email, email us at [email protected]. In your email, include your full name, date of birth, date of your test and daytime phone number where you can be reached. You may only request your own records. If you are requesting on behalf of others, you need to provide their daytime phone number or request they send their consent to [email protected], referencing your request. We will not discuss your results over the phone.
What Your Test Results Mean
Do I need to have a negative follow-up test before I return to work?
- You do not require a negative COVID-19 test result to return to work. You may return to work when your period of self-isolation ends, providing you do not have a fever and your symptoms have been improving for 24 hours (or 48 hours if you have gastrointestinal symptoms). In addition, you will need to pass the COVID-19 screening questionnaire to enter your workplace.
What does a negative COVID-19 test mean?
- A negative COVID-19 test means you probably were not infected at the time your sample was collected.
- It does not mean that you will not be exposed to, test positive for, or become sick with COVID-19 in the future.
- If you have had contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19, you should continue isolating for the remainder of the time required as a contact of a confirmed case. If your symptoms persist or worsen, contact your doctor. For those who had previously been instructed by public health to isolate, you should remain in isolation for the remainder of the required -isolation period.
- If you have not had contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19, tested negative but still have symptoms: follow these guidelines for individuals with symptoms
- If you have not had contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19, tested negative and have no symptoms: you can resume your normal activities, including returning to work.
- If your test comes back negative, but you begin to develop COVID-19 symptoms, even if they're mild, you should isolate immediately.
What does a positive test mean?
- A positive COVID-19 test means you are most likely infected now and could infect others.
- You should self-isolate and follow these instructions.
- Public health or the provincial work force will reach out to you to provide further instructions by phone or text message if you work in a high risk setting.
Can the test tell me if I had COVID-19 in the past?
- No, the test only determines if you have COVID-19 at the time the test is conducted.
- Testing someone’s blood to see if they have antibodies for COVID-19 can tell if a person previously had COVID-19, however in Ontario, this test is only done in very limited clinical situations.
Follow up Instructions after being tested for COVID-19
I am a health care worker
- Follow up with your Occupational Health and Safety Department, if applicable.
I am not a health care worker
- I have not been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 but I have COVID-19 symptoms
- I have been exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID-19
I was tested due to an upcoming surgery/medical procedure (I do not have symptoms and was not exposed to a person who tested positive for COVID-19)
- You are not required to self-isolate while waiting for your test results.
- Please contact the physician responsible for your upcoming surgery/medical procedure for more comprehensive guidance.
Testing after travelling abroad
Travellers entering Canada, regardless of citizenship, must follow testing and quarantine requirements. There are different requirements for vaccinated and unvaccinated travellers. Information about returning to Canada from abroad from the Government of Canada
Date modified
January 20, 2023