As new coronavirus cases surged over the weekend, Premier Doug Ford announced that anyone in the province can now be tested for the virus, regardless of whether or not they are showing symptoms.
Daily tests in the province are currently hovering around 11,000, although the daily capacity is nearly 25,000.
“If you are worried you have COVID-19, or that you’ve been exposed to someone who has COVID-19, even if you’re not showing symptoms, please go get a test,” Ford said yesterday.
“You will not be turned away, you don’t need an appointment, just show up.”
As we begin our second week of Stage 1, detecting #COVID19 is top of mind. We are urging everyone who is worried they may have #COVID19, or worried they may have been exposed to the virus to go get tested. pic.twitter.com/UbaaBO1zEr
— Doug Ford (@fordnation) May 25, 2020
Previously, only those showing symptoms of the virus were being tested. The change comes after 460 new cases of coronavirus were reported in the province yesterday, along with 25 new deaths. A spokesperson for the Minister of Health said that even with the new protocols, demand for testing will likely not outpace the supply.
The Ontario government said testing is now available for the following:
- Symptomatic testing: Those showing even just one symptom of COVID-19
- Asymptomatic, risk-based testing: Those who believe they have been exposed to COVID-19
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