As per the Ontario Ministry of Health website, updated October 2025
Symptoms of COVID-19
If you have the symptoms of COVID-19 listed below, assume that you may have the virus and may be contagious.
- Any one or more of:
- fever or chills
- cough
- shortness of breath
- decreased or loss of taste or smell
- Any two or more of:
- runny nose or nasal congestion
- headache
- extreme fatigue
- sore throat
- muscle aches or joint pain
- gastrointestinal symptoms (such as vomiting or diarrhea)
COVID-19 Testing Click here for COVID-19 TESTING LOCATIONS
There are two types of testing for COVID-19: rapid antigen tests (self-test kits) and molecular tests, which include both polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and rapid molecular testing.
Rapid antigen tests
Rapid antigen tests detect certain proteins in the virus to identify the presence of COVID‑19. A sample, which can be self-collected, is taken using a swab in the nose and/or throat and can produce a result in as little as 15 minutes.
- Remember that it is important to read the complete test instructions carefully in order to make sure the test is done as accurately as possible. Please note too that placing the swab on the inside of each cheek followed by the back of the throat on each side and then inside each nostril as far as is comfortable may increase the chance of detecting COVID-19 infection (even though the instructions usually only talk about testing inside the nose). Also, allowing the test to sit up to 30 minutes may also increase the chance of detecting COVID-19 infection.
- Remember that Rapid antigen tests are not as accurate as molecular tests and especially may take several days before a test becomes positive. Therefore DO NOT ASSUME YOU DO NOT HAVE COVID-19 INFECTION IF YOU HAVE A NEGATIVE RAPID TEST! It is recommended that you repeat the rapid test every 2 days until your symptoms resolve. Even if you truly do NOT have COVID-19 infection, your symptoms are still compatible with a contagious viral respiratory infection, including influenza, and so it is still recommended that you follow the general management recommendations for COVID-19 infection whether or not you test positive for COVID-19.
Rapid antigen tests are available for purchase at many locations including pharmacies and online retail businesses such as Amazon.
Molecular Testing
Both polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and rapid molecular tests can be used to determine if you have COVID‑19. With PCR testing, a health care professional, or another trained individual, swabs your nose or throat, they send the sample to a lab for testing, and you typically get the results in 1-2 days. PCR self-collection test kits are also available from participating pharmacies. You can collect the specimen yourself and drop it off at a testing location for processing. Rapid molecular tests are as reliable as PCR tests but do not require a lab. Results are generally available the same day.
Molecular testing for COVID-19 is more accurate at detecting COVID-19 infection but because of its more limited availability than rapid tests, it is only availalbe for higher risk individuals.
Who is eligible for PCR/Rapid Molecular testing?
You are eligible for publicly-funded COVID-19 testing if you have COVID‑19 symptoms and belong to any of the following groups:
- people aged 65 years of age and older
- people aged 18 years of age and older who have at least one condition that puts them at higher risk of severe COVID-19 disease
- people who are immunocompromised
- residents and patients in certain high-risk settings including hospitals and congregate living settings with medically and socially vulnerable individuals (for example, in long-term care and other specific populations and settings)
- people in the context of suspected or confirmed outbreaks, as directed by the local public health unit
If you develop symptoms and you are eligible for a publicly-funded test, we recommend you click on the yellow highlighted link above to find a testing location; you may also contact your pharmacist directly to find out about test availability and to arrange to take a test.
Visit the link below for more information: