Get a COVID-19 test

You should get a COVID-19 test if you feel sick with:

fever
cough
runny or blocked nose
sore throat
hard to breathe
loss of smell
loss of taste.

A COVID-19 test will check to see if you have the virus.
Sometimes you will need to get a COVID-19 test even if you don’t have symptoms.

There are 2 types of COVID-19 tests:

Rapid Antigen Test (RAT)
Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test

Sometimes you have to do another RAT or a PCR test to be sure of the result.

A RAT is a COVID-19 test you can do at home or work.
A RAT will give you a result in 10 to 20 minutes.

You can buy a RAT at a pharmacy or supermarket.
Follow the instructions in the test packet.

Ask someone to help you if you do not know what to do.

A PCR test is a COVID-19 test done by a health care worker at a clinic.

A PCR test is a COVID-19 test done at a clinic.
A PCR test result is very accurate.
It usually takes 24 hours before you get a result.

You can get a PCR test at a COVID-19 testing clinic

You can find where to get a COVID-19 test on the website.

You will need to wait in line to get a PCR test.
When you go to a clinic to get your COVID-19 test:

wear a face mask
take 2 steps away from other people while you wait

You can take your support person with you if you need to.

When you have a COVID-19 test at a clinic the nurse or doctor will wear a gown, a face shield and a face mask.
This is to keep you and the staff person safe.
The person doing your test will show you a swab.

A swab is a long stick like a cotton bud. They will put the swab:

inside your nose
at the back of your throat.

COVID-19 test results
A positive result on a RAT or PCR test means that you have COVID-19.
A negative result on a PCR test means that you do not have COVID-19.
A negative result on a RAT means you probably do not have COVID-19.
You may need to do another RAT or PCR test to be sure of the result.