2021 Monthly Update Webinar Series Event: Wednesday, November 24, 2021 at 8:00pm
The next event in the OAC’s 2021 Monthly Update Webinar Series will be held on Wednesday, November 24, 2021 at 8:00pm.
Join us to receive updates on the EQI program, OMA issues (including the 2021 PSA Negotiations), COVID-19 developments, and other advocacy initiatives.
To register your attendance for the webinar, click here: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4073947184218688782
If you have any questions or comments, please contact the OAC office at:
34 Eglinton Ave. West, Suite 410
Toronto, Ontario M4R 2H6
Tel: 416-487-0054
Toll-Free: 1-877-504-1239
E-mail: info@ontarioheartdoctors.ca
OAC Position on COVID-19 In-Person and Virtual Care Services
November 5, 2021
Dr. Kieran Moore
Chief Medical Officer of Health
Ministry of Health
Mr. Patrick Dicerni
Assistant Deputy Minister
OHIP, Pharmaceuticals and Devices Division, Ministry of Health
Dr. Nancy Whitmore
Registrar and CEO
College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario
Dear Dr. Moore, Mr. Dicerni, and Dr. Whitmore:
On behalf of the Ontario Association of Cardiologists (OAC), we are writing to express concerns over your recent letter to Ontario physicians regarding the provision of in-person and virtual care at this stage of the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, we take issue with (1) your assertion that COVID-19 no longer poses a barrier to in-person practice; (2) your contention that physicians’ offices are not providing in-person care; and, (3) the implied threat of disciplinary action that may be taken against physicians if they do not see patients in-person.
While hospitalizations and incidents of severe illness have dropped recently in Ontario, COVID-19 remains a concern for all front-line doctors, including cardiologists, who must continue to vigilantly operate their clinical practices in ways that ensure the protection of their patients and staff when seeing vaccinated and unvaccinated patients. While not insurmountable, it must be acknowledged that COVID-19 continues to present important barriers to in-person practice.
Ontario’s cardiologists have remained accessible to their patients since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic by keeping their offices open for in-person visits as well as through virtual care appointments. Throughout all stages of the pandemic, cardiologists worked hard to strike a suitable balance between providing in-person and virtual care services taking into account such factors as PPE availability, social distancing protocols, staffing requirements, patient preferences, vaccination rates, and much more. In so doing, we succeeded in ensuring that patients had access to elective and emergency cardiac care in the community and hospitals all across the province.
Your letter asserts that the standard of care is often difficult to meet in a virtual environment. We disagree. In the Cardiology specialty, a significant amount of objective information comparing past and present test results is used along with an updated history from the patient, which can readily be obtained virtually. In fact, cardiologists have found that having several family members present in the patient residence at the time of a video or telephone virtual visit results in a more robust and reliable history about matters such as functional status and symptoms. There are many circumstances in our specialty in which virtual care is superior to an in-office visit.
Cardiac patients are often extremely elderly with advanced poly-morbidities. These factors as well as their cardiac condition itself put them at great risk from exposure to viral pathogens like COVID-19 and others such as Influenza. Conducting virtual visits, where clinically appropriate, and avoiding crowded waiting rooms reduces their exposure to these pathogens.
Virtual care expansion in the province has also improved access to specialist care for patients who live in remote areas, reducing the need to travel many hours to urban centres for routine cardiovascular care. This expansion in reach and scope of services is an important enhancement to the provision of cardiovascular care across the province. Furthermore, the response from the general public has been very positive. Patients are pleased to receive care in their own locations without the need to travel or wait in crowded waiting rooms. Primary care physicians in remote areas have also indicated that their access to cardiology specialty support has improved during the pandemic due to new virtual care options.
The OAC agrees that in-person care is essential for certain conditions or where physical assessments are necessary to make an appropriate diagnosis or treatment decision; however, the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us that the standard of care can be met without an in-office visit in certain circumstances. When used properly and responsibly, virtual care can be an extremely effective way to provide excellent care that reduces COVID risk to all patients and staff regardless of vaccination status.
Our profession must live up to the responsibility of providing timely and appropriate care for patients. Cardiologists in Ontario believe we have done this, and we object to a generalization that we may not have done so. If it is the case that some patients no longer have reasonable access to care (virtual or in-person) then the Ministry of Health and/or the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario should develop a mechanism to quantify and address the problem on a specialty-by-specialty basis. As individual practitioners in specialty practice, cardiologists have heard many patients state they feel abandoned with respect to certain aspects of their care. We encourage the College, the Ministry and the OMA to explore this in more detail. Best practice guidelines for virtual care are long overdue and will benefit many Ontario patients. We encourage our leaders to develop such guidelines, and stand ready to provide our clinical expertise and experience to help accomplish this.
Finally, Ontario physicians are best suited to decide which patient visit is appropriate to do virtually and which requires in-person assessment. To assist cardiologists in making these decisions, the OAC is developing a guideline framework outlining the appropriate circumstances for in-person and virtual visits for meeting the standard of cardiac patient care. We believe this timely initiative will improve patient outcomes, protect physicians and staff, and meet broader public health objectives. We look forward to working with you to improve Ontario’s virtual care framework and ensure it is used appropriately and in a way that improves access to, and the safety of, health care for all Ontario residents.
Sincerely,
John D. Parker, MD, FRCPC Richard Davies, MD, PhD, FRCPC
Board Member Board Member
c.c. Dr. Adam Kassam, OMA President
OAC supports call to publicly fund transcatheter valve-in-valve implantation for adults with degenerated mitral or tricuspid bioprosthetic valves
The Ontario Association of Cardiologists (OAC) supports Ontario Health’s recommendation, based on guidance from the Ontario Health Technology Advisory Committee, for publicly funding transcatheter valve-in-valve implantation for adults with degenerated mitral or tricuspid bioprosthetic valves who are considered inoperable or high-risk for surgery.
The evidence supporting public funding of transcatheter valve-in-valve implantation for these patients is clear. The procedure is minimally invasive, safe, and effective. Morbidity and mortality risks are generally lower with this bioprosthetic heart valve replacement option than with open-heart surgery. It requires less time spent in hospital, shorter recovery times, and has shown dramatic improvement in patient quality of life.
In addition to these benefits, the procedure is preferred by patients over open-heart surgery. It is also cost effective. The OAC notes and supports Ontario Health’s estimate that publicly funding transcatheter valve-in-valve implantation for failing mitral or tricuspid bioprosthetic valves could lead to a cost saving over a five-year period.
The OAC represents Ontario’s cardiologists, who are medical specialists with in-depth expertise and experience in managing these patients. We urge the Ministry of Health to act on Ontario Health’s recommendation and extend public funding for transcatheter valve-in-valve implantation for adults with degenerated mitral or tricuspid bioprosthetic valves who are considered inoperable or high-risk for surgery.
To review Ontario Health’s review, click here: https://www.hqontario.ca/Evidence-to-Improve-Care/Health-Technology-Assessment/Reviews-And-Recommendations/Transcatheter-Valve-in-Valve-Implantation-for-Degenerated-Mitral-or-Tricuspid-Bioprosthetic-Valves.
For more information, contact:
Ontario Association of Cardiologists
34 Eglinton Ave. West, Suite 410
Toronto, Ontario M4R 2H6
Tel: 416-487-0054
Toll-Free: 1-877-504-1239
E-mail: admin@ontac.ca
Web: www.ontarioheartdoctors.ca
Ontario Health Issues New Funding Recommendation for Transcatheter Valve-in-Valve Implantation
Ontario Health, based on guidance from the Ontario Health Technology Advisory Committee, is recommending publicly funding transcatheter valve-in-valve implantation for adults with degenerated mitral or tricuspid bioprosthetic valves who are considered inoperable or high-risk for surgery.
The provincial government agency is seeking feedback on its recommendation from healthcare stakeholders and the public by October 25, 2021.
Click here to share your feedback: https://www.hqontario.ca/Evidence-to-Improve-Care/Health-Technology-Assessment/Reviews-And-Recommendations/Transcatheter-Valve-in-Valve-Implantation-for-Degenerated-Mitral-or-Tricuspid-Bioprosthetic-Valves.
For more information, please contact the OAC office:
34 Eglinton Ave. West
Suite 410
Toronto, Ontario M4R 2H6
E-mail: admin@ontac.ca
Tel: 416-487-0054
Toll-free: 1-877-504-1239
Canadian Cardiovascular Society Reminder: Emergencies are Emergencies!
Patients with heart conditions should continue to seek medical attention in the case of an emergency. Hospitals and emergency departments can keep patients safe from exposure to COVID-19.
Ontario Association of Cardiologists
34 Eglinton Ave. West
Suite 410
Toronto, Ontario M4R 2H6
E-mail: admin@ontac.ca
Tel: 416-487-0054
Toll-free: 1-877-504-1239
Dr. James Swan (1946-2021)
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Dr. James Swan on Friday, June 4, 2021.
Dr. Swan served as president of the Ontario Association of Cardiologists since June 2013. In this capacity, he championed patient access to high quality cardiac care throughout all parts of Ontario, whether one lived in a big city or a small community. He also strongly advocated for the development and maintenance of high professional standards for the practice of cardiology in Ontario.
Dr. Swan graduated from Queen’s University and did his residency training in internal medicine and cardiology in Toronto. He undertook postgraduate training at Emory University in Atlanta in cardiac ultrasound and returned to Canada in 1977 to introduce 2-dimensional echocardiography.
He held an appointment in the Division of Cardiology of the Department of Medicine at the University of Toronto since 1977 and appointments in the Divisions of Cardiology at St. Michael’s Hospital, Rouge Valley Health System, Southlake Regional Health Centre, Toronto East General Hospital, North York General Hospital and the Barrie Royal Victoria Hospital.
Dr. Swan was a founding member of the Cardiac Care Network of Ontario and was instrumental in setting up one of the first non-University cath labs in Canada, at Centenary Hospital in 1986. He was also active in the Ontario Medical Association serving as chair of the Section on Cardiology, and participating on numerous committees including the Central Tariff Committee and the tripartite Diagnostic Service Committee.
Dr. Swan was a leader in developing new digital technologies in his cardiac ultrasound lab in Scarborough, which are now used at major institutions throughout the world to improve cardiac patient care. He continued to perform diagnostic cardiac catheterization services and non-invasive cardiac testing and deliver cardiac care to patients in Scarborough, Ajax and Collingwood until last year.
An avid hockey player, Dr. Swan was team cardiologist for the NHL Old Timers in the ’70s and ’80s. In recent years, he was involved with the University of Toronto’s Global Surgery program travelling to China, Nunavut and Jamaica participating in medical exchanges and advancing patient care at home and abroad. He was also involved in acquiring and distributing personal protective equipment to healthcare organizations across Canada to help meet increased demand brought on by COVID-19. He was instrumental in establishing a fund at the University of Toronto to help find the genetic causes of glioblastoma in order to prevent others from developing the disease.
Dr. Swan is survived by his wife Carolyn, sons Matthew (Rachel) and Marc (Caroline), grandchildren David and Sarah and by his nieces Dr. Kathryn Swan (Will), Jennifer (Jorge) and Erica (James) and golden retriever Hennessy.
Ontario Association of Cardiologists
34 Eglinton Ave. West, Suite 410
Toronto, Ontario M4R 2H6
E-mail: admin@ontac.ca
Web: www.ontarioheartdoctors.ca
2021 Monthly Update Webinar Series Event: Wed., May 26, 2021 at 8:00pm
The next event in the OAC’s 2021 Monthly Update Webinar Series will be held on Wednesday, May 26, 2021 at 8:00pm.
We hope you can join us to receive updates on the EQI Program Facility Agreement (and other echocardiography accreditation matters), OMA issues (including the 2021 PSA Negotiations), COVID-19 developments, and other OAC advocacy initiatives.
To register your attendance for the webinar, click here: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/6621991709470574094.
If you have any questions or comments, please contact the OAC office at:
34 Eglinton Ave. West, Suite 410
Toronto, Ontario M4R 2H6
Tel: 416-487-0054
Toll-Free: 1-877-504-1239
E-mail: info@ontarioheartdoctors.ca
OAC supports gradual resumption of non-emergent and non-urgent surgeries and procedures
The OAC supports the decision of the Chief Medical Officer of Health to rescind Directive #2 for Health Care Providers to enable hospitals and community-based ambulatory facilities to perform non-emergent and non-urgent surgeries and procedures if specific criteria outlined by Ontario Health are met.
For more information, click here: https://www.ontariohealth.ca/sites/ontariohealth/files/2021-05/Memo%20-%20Gradual%20resumption%20of%20non-emergent%20and%20non-urgent%20surgeries%20and%20procedures%2019May2021%20-%20EN.pdf.
2021 Monthly Update Webinar Series Event: Wed., April 28, 2021 at 8:00pm
The next event in the OAC’s 2021 Monthly Update Webinar Series is on Wednesday, April 28, 2021 at 8:00pm. The focus of this webinar will be the OAC’s advocacy to improve the Echocardiography Quality Improvement (EQI) Program Facility Agreement recently circulated by Accreditation Canada Diagnostics. Join us to receive an update and learn more about how to get involved in achieving fairness for echocardiography service providers in Ontario.
To register your attendance for the webinar, click here:
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2961797764953064462
If you have any questions or comments, please contact the OAC office at:
34 Eglinton Ave. West, Suite 410
Toronto, Ontario M4R 2H6
Tel: 416-487-0054
Toll-Free: 1-877-504-1239
E-mail: info@ontarioheartdoctors.ca
OAC meets with Office of the Auditor General of Ontario re: Cardiac and Stroke Care Audit
OAC representatives met with officials from the Office of the Auditor General of Ontario (OAGO) regarding the audit it is conducting this year on cardiac and stroke care in Ontario. The audit, which was initiated in 2020 but suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, will focus on the work of the Ministry of Health and its agencies (e.g. CorHealth Ontario) in the management of patient services including the challenges and opportunities for improvement. It will be released in late 2021.
The OAC welcomed the chance to provide input, on behalf of Ontario’s cardiologists, on various issues including the evolution of the echocardiography quality improvement program, funding support for congestive heart failure patient care, physician billing, and other hospital and community-based issues that have arisen during the pandemic.
We look forward to providing the OAGO with more information and feedback in the coming months.
For more information, please contact the OAC office at:
Ontario Association of Cardiologists
34 Eglinton Ave. West
Toronto, Ontario M4R 2H6
Tel: 416-487-0054
Toll-Free: 1-877-504-1239
E-mail: info@ontarioheartdoctors.ca
Web: www.ontarioheartdoctors.ca
OAC Supports Recommendation to Publicly Fund the Use of Natriuretic Peptide Testing in Adults with Suspected Heart Failure
The Ontario Association of Cardiologists (OAC) supports a draft recommendation issued by Ontario Health (OH) calling for public funding of the use of natriuretic peptide (BNP or NT-proBNP) testing for the diagnosis of people with suspected heart failure in the community and emergency department settings.
At the present time, Ontario patients pay directly for this testing unless it is performed as an inpatient or outpatient hospital service. “The measurement of BNP or NT-proBNP is an accepted biomarker for the diagnosis and management of patients with heart failure. The current lack of public funding for this testing in the community in Ontario is a major limitation to clinicians and their patients and requires adjustment”, states the OAC’s letter.
The draft recommendation is based on guidance from the Ontario Health Technology Advisory Committee, which has been studying the issue since 2019. More information on the health technology assessment can be found at OH’s website: https://hqontario.ca/…/Use-of-B-Type-Natriuretic….
The OAC is calling on the Ministry of Health to accept and implement the recommendation immediately. “The evidence is unequivocal that natriuretic peptide testing has clinical benefit, and is in accordance with patient preferences, patient care equity and cost effectiveness. We urge the Ministry of Health to act on this recommendation and extend public funding for the expanded use of this important diagnostic and therapeutic decision-making tool in the interest of Ontario patients.”
To read the the OAC’s letter, click here: OAC Letter – Natriuretic Peptide (BNP or NT-proBNP) Testing (Feb. 9, 2021).
OH is requesting public and stakeholder feedback on the draft recommendation by February 24, 2021, which can be provided online here: https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/6148237/B-Type-Eng.
For more information, contact:
Ontario Association of Cardiologists
34 Eglinton Ave. West, Suite 410
Toronto, Ontario M4R 2H6
Tel: 416-487-0054
Toll-Free: 1-877-504-1239
E-mail: admin@ontac.ca
Web: www.ontarioheartdoctors.ca
COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Task Force Reply to OAC Letter
The OAC received a letter from General (Ret’d) Rick Hillier, Chair of the COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Task Force in reply to the OAC’s January 24, 2021 letter, which advocated for health care professionals and administrative staff working in community cardiology clinics to be prioritized within the provincial government’s vaccine distribution plan.
The OAC also proposed the Task Force give consideration to using Ontario’s community cardiology clinic infrastructure to assist the provincial government meet its mass vaccine distribution objectives, beginning with high-risk populations (e.g. cardiac patients) and extending to all members of the general public at the appropriate time.
To read the response, click here: https://bit.ly/3dqt7df.
For more information, please contact the OAC office at:
Ontario Association of Cardiologists
34 Eglinton Ave. West
Suite 410
Toronto, Ontario
M4R 2H6
E-mail: info@ontarioheartdoctors.ca
Web: www.ontarioheartdoctors.ca
COVID-19 Vaccination Prioritization and Distribution in Community Cardiology Clinics
The Ontario Association of Cardiologists (OAC) is calling for health care professionals and staff working in community cardiology clinics to be prioritized within Phase 1 of the province’s COVID-19 vaccination distribution program. These clinic staff who, like hospital-based workers, come into direct physical contact with patients in delivering essential health care services, deserve prioritized access to the COVID-19 vaccine. It is crucial to ensuring the continued effective delivery of outpatient cardiac services in communities throughout the province.
As well, the OAC has proposed that the COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Task Force consider using Ontario’s vast community cardiology clinic infrastructure, located in cities and towns across the province, to help achieve the province’s mass vaccine distribution objectives.
For more information, click here to read the OAC’s letter to the COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Task Force Chair: OAC Letter – COVID-19 Vaccination Program.
Ontario Association of Cardiologists
34 Eglinton Ave. West, Suite 410
Toronto, Ontario M4R 2H6
Tel: 416-487-0054
Toll-Free – 1-877-504-1239
E-mail: admin@ontac.ca
Web:www.ontarioheartdoctors.ca
COVID-19 Advance Payment Program Changes Announced
The Ontario Ministry of Health has announced it will delay the recovery of monies it provided to Ontario physicians via the COVID-19 advance payment program. Recovery payments will now begin in April 2021 (not February 2021). The program, which provided advance payments in the form of a loan to Ontario physicians, was purportedly aimed to help physicians sustain their clinical practice during the COVID-19 pandemic.
As per our 2020 Budget submission, there are two major drawbacks to the program. First, it is a loan. Second, the loan recovery period remains a short six months (i.e. April – September 2021) i.e. a period of time when the province will still be dealing with the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
For cardiologists providing community-based services to be sustained over the long-term, it is imperative that the COVID-19 Advance Payment Program be converted to a stabilization grant; alternatively, the government must give consideration to changing the terms of the payment recovery period from commencing in April 2021 to the fiscal year 2022-23.
Ontario Association of Cardiologists
34 Eglinton Ave. West, Suite 410
Toronto, ON M4R 2H6
Tel: 416-487-0054
Toll-Free: 1-877-504-1239
E-mail: admin@ontac.ca
Web: www.ontarioheartdoctors.ca
COVID-19 Projections Update
Today, the Ontario COVID-19 Science Advisory Table and Modelling Consensus Table issued a COVID-19 Projections Update. Click here to review the document COVID-19 Projections Update (January 12, 2021). We wish to highlight a couple of comments made at today’s media conference:
“When we are talking about the impact of COVID, we are not only talking about COVID. We are talking about mortality in long-term care homes; we are talking about people living with cancer, with heart disease, respiratory illness, neurological illness not being able to access the services they need.” – Matthew Anderson, President & CEO, Ontario Health, January 12, 2021.
“When we start to delay care…heart disease will worsen and patients will die as they are unable to get access to care.” – Adalsteinn Brown, Co-Chair, Ontario COVID-19 Science Advisory Table, January 12, 2021.
Ontario Association of Cardiologists
34 Eglinton Ave. West, Suite 410
Toronto, ON M4R 2H6
Tel: 416-487-0054
Toll-Free: 1-877-504-1239
E-mail: admin@ontac.ca
Web: www.ontarioheartdoctors.ca
Ontario Deploys Rapid Testing to Support COVID-19 Response
New Technology is a Gamechanger in Significantly Improving Screening for the Virus
November 24, 2020
TORONTO — The Ontario government has deployed new COVID-19 rapid tests to provide faster results in regions of high transmission and rural and remote areas. As an additional tool to help keep essential workers safe, rapid tests will also be used to screen staff in long-term care homes and select workplaces. These new tests will provide Ontarians with more access to innovative testing options and will help to quickly identify and manage outbreaks to stop the spread of COVID-19.
Details were released today by Premier Doug Ford, Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, and Dr. Merrilee Fullerton, Minister of Long-Term Care.
“These new rapid tests are gamechangers in the fight against COVID-19,” said Premier Ford. “This new technology can provide test results in hours, even minutes, instead of days. We’re deploying them as quickly as possible to protect patients, long-term care residents, and the frontline heroes who care for them. These new tools will ensure that Ontario remains the leader in testing in Canada to help stop the spread of this deadly virus.”
Ontario has received approximately 98,000 ID NOW tests that are initially being used in hospitals and assessment centres in rural and remote communities, as well as to test people as part of early outbreak investigations in hotspot regions where there are high concentrations of COVID-19 cases. Two hospitals are using ID NOW, with 20 additional hospitals preparing to launch rapid testing. Hospitals will be able to test people, such as staff and patients, who are either symptomatic or have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19.
“Our government strongly advocated for the approval of these rapid tests to help provide timely access to testing for Ontarians who need it the most,” said Minister Elliott. “These tests are helping to improve access to testing in our most underserved communities and allow us to better detect and contain any outbreaks. We are continuously working to expand our testing capacity and evaluate new and emerging technologies to provide safe testing options for a greater number of people.”
ID NOW tests continue to be distributed in Simcoe Muskoka, Southwestern Ontario and Eastern Ontario, and the program will be expanded to other areas of the province beginning in December. Continued rollout of this test is planned for in Toronto and Peel and work is underway with Ontario Health and local public health units to support rapid testing deployment across the province. Ontario also continues to work closely with Toronto Public Health and Peel Regional Health Unit to bring rapid testing into the regions’ outbreak response, using rapid testing to help with early identification and investigation of outbreaks.
The province has also received 1.2 million Panbio rapid antigen tests that will support a screening program for long-term care homes and other workplaces. To date, Panbio tests have been deployed to six long-term care operators for potential deployment in over 30 long-term care homes, 27 retirement homes, eight hospitals, and 11 industry partners such as Ontario Power Generation, Air Canada and Magna, with plans to expand further across province. Ontario is expecting to receive up to 1.5 million more Panbio tests by the end of December.
Over the next number of weeks, select long-term care homes will use the Abbott Panbio rapid antigen tests to help inform future deployment across the sector.
“Since day one of COVID-19, our top priority has been to protect the health and well-being of Ontarians, including long-term care residents,” said Minister Fullerton. “These rapid tests can help long-term care homes get results immediately allowing them to act faster to prevent COVID-19 from entering the home.”
Panbio tests will also be used in a broader eight-week pilot for participating employers in the private, public and non-profit sectors, prioritizing access for health care settings, essential frontline settings, and congregate settings. This pilot program is an important opportunity to learn about the value of antigen screening for asymptomatic workers in a range of workplace settings and will inform future decisions about safely and fully re-opening the economy. Participating employers would cover associated costs of delivering antigen rapid tests including human resource expenses and ensure testing follows guidelines as set by the Chief Medical Officer of Health.
The province continues to ensure that anyone who needs a test can get a test and receive their results as quickly as possible. Anyone who falls within the current Provincial Testing Guidance should continue to seek publicly funded testing, available at participating pharmacies and assessment centres. If you have COVID-19 symptoms, you should get tested at an assessment centre.
As both ID NOW and Panbio tests are new, they will be carefully evaluated and used in alignment with guidance from Health Canada.
Quick Facts
- The ID NOW test uses molecular testing with a nasal, nasopharyngeal or throat swab. Molecular testing detects genetic material of COVID-19 to diagnose people with symptoms.
- The Panbio test uses antigen testing with a nasopharyngeal swab only. Antigen testing detects specific proteins from the virus to screen and identify people who need further testing.
- Rapid tests must be performed at a laboratory or specimen collection centre licensed under the Laboratory and Specimen Collection Centre Licensing Act (LSCCLA) or by certain regulated health professionals that are specifically exempt from the licensing requirements of the LSCCLA. Ontario has also released guidance for individuals or organizations that choose to participate in COVID-19 testing that falls outside of the public health care system, to ensure there is appropriate oversight and consumer protection and that public resources are supporting public health initiatives.
- The launch of rapid testing is part of the province’s fall preparedness plan, Keeping Ontarians Safe: Preparing for Future Waves of COVID-19, to enhance and expand efforts to quickly test and identify new cases of COVID-19.
- Ontario has completed over 5.8 million tests to date, more tests than all Canadian provinces and territories combined.
- Testing is available by appointment for those within provincial testing guidance at assessment centres, participating pharmacies and specimen collection centres. Please visit Ontario.ca/covidtest to find a testing location and for eligibility criteria to be tested.
- It is still critically important for all Ontarians to follow public health measures to stay safe and stop the spread of COVID-19—wear a mask when required, stay two metres apart from people outside of your household, wash your hands frequently, stay home if you are not feeling well, and download the COVID Alert mobile app.