Ontario will announce changes to its official COVID-19 testing guidance later this week as the surge in cases caused by the Omicron variant has made it nearly impossible to receive testing.
People with symptoms consistent with COVID-19 face a long lineup, and Ontario currently reports 9,000 to 10,000 cases per day on a regular basis, so bookings for PCR tests over the past few days are complete. There are also places that are lacking in Ontario.
Prior to the vacation, Chief Medical Officer Dr. Keeran Moore said the public health department would no longer be in contact with contact tracing cases except in high-risk environments such as group medical care and hospitals.
The lab can process 60,000 to 70,000 samples per day before vacation, with up to 19% of them returning positive, clearly showing that infection is no longer detected.
The Ontario Public Health Service has stated that infection data should be interpreted with caution as it significantly underestimates the actual outbreaks in the state.
The earliest start of the COVID-19 test on Tuesday was January 8 at Women’s College Hospital, Michael Garon Hospital, Sunnybook Health Science Center, North York General Hospital, and Toronto Western Hospital.
Moore had scheduled a new meeting on Tuesday afternoon, but it was postponed.
The Ministry of Health said it is considering a new policy for the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Under this policy, people with or are likely to have COVID-19 should be quarantined at home for 10 to 5 days unless symptoms are seen. ..
“In light of the recently updated guidance from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on recommended quarantine and shortened quarantine periods, the Chief Health Officer of the Ontario Public Health Service has given this guidance in the light of Ontario-specific evidence. “I appreciate it,” said the spokesperson. Alexandra Hilken told CP24. Moore will provide an update later this week. “
According to data released today by the Ontario Public Health Service, recent daily test positive rates have exceeded 20%.
People who test positive for a rapid antigen test at home or in a pharmacy are unlikely to have an infection recorded.
In the Halton area, the local public health department is asking people with a positive rapid antigen test to call them so they can count their cases.
Other public health departments, such as Ottawa, have no requirements or mechanisms for reporting positive rapid antigen test results.
Persons with symptoms, contact with previously identified cases, or identified as part of an outbreak investigation are now eligible for a free PCR test at a hospital evaluation center or pharmacy.
The state finally narrowed down the inspection guidance in October 2020. Prior to that, anyone with or without symptoms could get a free COVID-19 test, and some would get a free test to meet travel requirements.
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