COVID-19 Assessment Centre
Who should visit a clinical assessment centre?
Clinical assessment centres can test, assess, and provide treatment options for COVID-19. You should
visit if you have COVID-19 symptoms and any of the following apply to you:
- You feel that you cannot safely monitor your COVID-19 symptoms at home and need to be seen
by a health care provider - You are at higher risk of getting seriously ill from COVID-19 and need to get tested and assessed for
COVID-19 treatment - You have been directed to visit a COVID-19 clinical assessment centre by your primary care
provider - You do not need to have a positive test result to visit. You should bring a list of your medications and a
list of any important medical conditions - If you develop severe symptoms requiring medical attention, such as shortness of breath, chest pain,
loss of consciousness, or confusion, call 911 or go to the emergency department
What are COVID-19 treatments?
COVID-19 treatments (including the Paxlovid pill) are available for people who have COVID-19 and are at
higher risk of becoming seriously ill. These treatments are available for free by prescription for anyone
who would benefit from them.
COVID-19 treatments can help people who are at higher risk of becoming seriously ill stay out of the
hospital. They must be taken within the first five to seven days (depending on the treatment) after
symptoms start.
Who is eligible for COVID-19 treatment?
To get treatment, a health care provider must assess you to determine if treatment is right for you,
which includes whether or not you are at higher risk of becoming seriously ill.
People meeting the following criteria should get tested and assessed for treatment:
- over 18 and immunocompromised (have an immune system that is weakened by a health
condition or medications) - over 70
- over 60 with fewer than three vaccine doses
- over 18 with fewer than three vaccine doses and at least one of the following risk conditions:
-
- obesity
- diabetes
- heart disease, hypertension, congestive heart failure
- chronic respiratory disease (including cystic fibrosis)
- cerebral palsy
- intellectual or developmental disabilities
- sickle cell disease
- moderate or severe kidney disease
- moderate or severe liver disease
- pregnant and unvaccinated (zero doses)
Use the Ontario government’s COVID-19 antiviral treatment screener to help you decide if you should be tested and assessed for treatment. Meeting the criteria above does not guarantee access to COVID-19 treatment. A health care provider at the clinical assessment centre will test you if needed and do an assessment to decide if you should get treatment.
Thank you for your cooperation!
