To rapidly expand screening for COVID-19, and to ease pressures on Toronto’s hospital emergency departments, assessment centres have been established across the city.
OHIP coverage is not required to be assessed at one of these centres, and there are stipulations on who should and shouldn’t attend them.
People with mild symptoms of an upper respiratory tract infection — a cough, sore throat, headache, muscle aches, fatigue, runny nose, joint aches, and potentially nausea, diarrhea and stomach pains — and a fever of 38°C or higher, should visit an assessment centre.
Also, anyone with the above mild symptoms and underlying health conditions, or who is 60 years or older, should also visit.
Underlying health conditions include, but aren’t limited to, cardiovascular disease, chronic lung disease, cerebrovascular disease (eg: previous stroke), hypertension, diabetes, cancer, immunosuppression, or current smoking.
Anyone with severe symptoms including shortness of breath, chest discomfort, lethargy or drowsiness, weakness, or dizziness, should visit their nearest emergency department.
If you are not well enough to take personal transportation, call 911.
Those who are unsure of how they qualify should call their primary care provider or Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000. Those with no symptoms of an upper respiratory tract infection needn’t visit an assessment centre, or call Telehealth Ontario, regardless of their travel history.
Here’s where you’ll find the Toronto Region COVID-19 Assessment Centres, should you determine you need to visit one:
Humber River Hospital – 2111 Finch Avenue West
Hours: Monday to Friday, noon to 8 pm
Phone: 416-747-6740
Michael Garron Hospital – 825 Coxwell Avenue
COVID-19 assessment centre: Outpatient clinic location in D-wing, 1st floor; accessed from Mortimer Avenue. By appointment only.
Hours: Seven days a week, 8 am to 8 pm
Emergency department — Dedicated zone for assessment
Hours: Seven days a week, 24 hours
Phone: 416-469-6858
North York General Hospital — 4001 Leslie Street, Hospital Emergency Department, Ambulance Bay
Hours: Seven days a week, 11 am to 11 pm
Scarborough Health Network – Birchmount Hospital — 3030 Birchmount Road
Hours: Seven days a week, 9 am to 5 pm
Unity – St. Joseph’s Health Centre — 30 The Queensway
Enter through the Sunnyside Building, Main Floor East. Entrance off Sunnyside Avenue.
Hours: Seven days a week, 9 am to 9 pm (last patient registered at 8:30 pm)
Unity – St. Michael’s Hospital – Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute — 209 Victoria Street
Enter from the Shuter Street Door on the North East corner of the building
Hours: Seven days a week, 9 am to 7 pm
Women’s College Hospital — 76 Grenville Street
Use the North East entrance located on Grosvenor Street.
Hours: Open seven days a week, 9 am to 8 pm
Please note: Children under the age of two cannot be seen at the Women’s College Hospital Assessment Centre
Toronto Public Health (TPH) is not an assessment centre and testing is not provided at TPH offices.
With coronavirus on the rise, Toronto Public Health is reminding individuals who attend events and large gatherings to monitor their health for signs and symptoms of COVID-19. And if you’re not feeling well, they recommend staying home at this time. Also, due to unexpected cancellations, please check the event you plan to attend is still taking place. Keep up with COVID-19 news here.