Eligibility Criteria for COVID-19 PCR Testing in Ontario

Prioritization for Molecular Testing for COVID-19 Infection (Effective April 11th, 2022 Ontario Health):

Molecular testing is primarily used for diagnostic purposes. Priority groups eligible for molecular (PCR) testing are listed below.:

Symptomatic people who fall into one of the following groups:

• People aged 70 years and older.
• People aged 60 years and older who have less than three doses of COVID-19 vaccine.
• People who are immunocompromised.
• Adults aged 18 years and older who have had less than three doses of COVID-19 vaccine and have risk conditions:
  • Obesity (BMI ≥ 30kg/m2)
  • Diabetes
  • Heart disease, hypertension, congestive heart failure
  • Chronic respiratory disease, including cystic fibrosis
  • Cerebral palsy
  • Intellectual disability
  • Sickle cell disease
  • Moderate or severe liver disease (e.g., Child Pugh Class B or Cirrhosis)
  • Moderate or severe kidney disease (eGFR ⟨ 60mL/min)
• Other people at higher risk of the severe disease who may be eligible for COVID-19 treatment if they tested positive.
  • Pregnant people
  • Patient-facing healthcare workers
  • Staff, volunteers, residents/inpatients, essential care providers, and visitors in the highest risk settings
    • Highest risk settings include: hospitals (including complex continuing care facilities and paramedic services), and congregate living settings with medically and socially vulnerable individuals, including, but not limited to long-term care homes, retirement homes, First Nation eldercare lodges, group homes, shelters, hospices, correctional institutions, and hospital schools.
• Household members of staff in highest risk settings and patient-facing healthcare workers
• Home and community care workers
• Staff and students in Provincial and Demonstration Schools
• Elementary and secondary students and education staff who have received a PCR self-collection kit through their school
• International Agriculture Workers in congregate living settings
• Patients seeking emergency medical care, at the discretion of the treating clinician
• Other outpatients for whom a diagnostic test is required for clinical management, at the discretion of the treating clinician
• People who are under-housed or experiencing homelessness
• First responders, including fire, police, and paramedics