Testing
Weeneebayko Area Health Authority (WAHA) is providing COVID-19 testing by appointment at the COVID-19 Assessment Centres in Moosonee and Moose Factory and at the Attawapiskat and the Fort Albany Hospitals.
NEW: Testing will be done in accordance with Ontario Provincial Testing Guidance.
Effective immediately (September 25, 2020), Ontarians should only seek testing at assessment centres if you are:
- Showing COVID-19 symptoms;
- Have been exposed to a confirmed case of the virus, as informed by your public health unit or exposure notification through the COVID Alert app;
- A resident or work in a setting that has a COVID-19 outbreak, as identified and informed by your local public health unit; and
- Eligible for testing as part of a targeted testing initiative directed by the Ministry of Health or the Ministry of Long-Term Care.
If you are a health-care provider who needs to report a possible case of COVID-19, or who has questions about clinical practice, please call the Occupational Health and Safety and Wellness Department at WAHA, the Public Health Centre for your community or visit the Porcupine Health Unit COVID-19 webpage for Health Care Providers.
Step 1: Who needs to be tested?
If you have developed the following symptoms:
Common symptoms of COVID-19 include:
- Fever (temperature of 37.8°C or greater)
- New or worsening cough
- Shortness of breath (dyspnea)
Other symptoms of COVID-19 can include:
- Sore throat
- Difficulty swallowing
- Loss of a sense of smell
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain
- Runny nose, or nasal congestion – in absence of an underlying reason for these symptoms such
Atypical symptoms can include:
- Unexplained fatigue
- Delirium (acutely altered mental status and inattention)
- Unexplained or increased number of falls
- A chronic conditions become worse
- Chills
- Headaches
- Croup
- Pink Eye
- Multisystem inflammatory vasculitis in children
Step 2: How do I get tested?
Testing is by appointment. Contact the public health centre or the testing facility in your community. COVID-19 testing will be available by appointments at the Moosonee and Moose Factory COVID-19 Centres, Attawapiskat Hospital and Fort Albany Hospital.
Moosonee:
Moosonee COVID-19 Assessment Centre is located at the Health Centre at 5 Percy’s Way.
Call 705-336-2294 for an appointment.
Testing is available onsite Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Moose Factory:
Moose Factory COVID-19 Assessment Centre is located at 19 Hospital Drive at Weeneebayko General Hospital (flag pole entrance).
Call the Moose Factory Health Centre at 705-658-4220 between 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for an appointment.
Testing is available by the drive-thru from Monday to Friday from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Attawapiskat:
COVID-19 testing is available at the Attawapiskat hospital located 972 Riverside East
Call 705-997-2150 for an appointment.
Testing is available onsite from Monday through Thursday from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Testing is available at the Youth Centre – no appointment necessary
check our Facebook page daily for hours.
Fort Albany:
COVID-19 testing is available at the Fort Albany Hospital located at 5 Airport Road.
Call 705-278-3330 for an appointment.
Testing is available onsite Monday through Thursday from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Kashechewan Nursing Station
Call 705-275-4444 for a testing appointment.
The testing centre is located behind the nursing station.
Peawanuck Nursing Station
Call 705-473-2525 for a testing appointment.
The testing centre is located in the nursing station.
Patients who meet the criteria above will be tested for COVID-19, which involves taking a sample from the throat or nose with a swab.
You will receive an appointment for your test in your community or a member of the paramedic team will visit your home to take a test.
If a paramedic visits your home, please take the necessary precautions to keep everyone safe.
Step 3: How do I receive my results?
You can receive the results of your test from a health care provider who will provide you with further instructions or check them out online using your health card https://covid19results.ehealthontario.ca:4443/agree
It’s important to follow the instructions on the patient information sheet provided to you at your testing appointment.
If you test negative, you must continue to self-isolate for 14 days from the day of your test.
Key information
Public Health Ontario – COVID-19 How to self isolate (PDF)
Public Health Ontario – How to handwash (PDF)
Public Health Ontario – Physical Distancing (PDF)
Public Health Ontario -Cover Your Cough (PDF)
Public Health Ontario – COVID-19 How to self-monitor (PDF)
Frequently Asked Questions
Learn more about what to do after you have been tested for COVID-19. Click here for more information You’ve Been Tested for COVID-19, Now What?
Still have questions? Check out the frequently asked questions section below.
Should I go to the COVID-19 Assessment Centre instead of the Emergency Department?
You must call before going for a COVID-19 test. If you are symptomatic after the centre is closed and you do not need emergency care, please continue to self-isolate and in the morning call the public health office for your community.
Fort Albany, Attawapiskat, Kashechewan, Peawanuck and Moosonee:
Call the Porcupine Health Unit’s branch in Moosonee
1-705-336-2294 x 326
8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday.
Moose Factory:
Call the Moose Factory Health Centre
705-658-4220 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday to Friday.
If you are in distress and need emergency medical attention (e.g. significant trouble breathing, chest pain, fainting, or have a significant worsening of any chronic disease symptoms), then head to your nearest emergency room.
When is the testing available?
Attawapiskat:
Testing is available Monday to Thursday from 1: 00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Fort Albany:
Testing is available Monday to Thursday from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Moosonee COVID-19 Assessment Centre:
Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Moose Factory COVID-19 Assessment Centre:
Testing is available by the drive-thru from Monday to Friday from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
If you are symptomatic after the centre is closed and you do not need emergency care, please continue to self-isolate and in the morning call the public health unit for your community.
Does everyone returning from travel outside of the region or international travel (including the United States of America) need to call their local Public Health Centre?
If you have travelled out of the province, you should call public health when you return. It is important you should monitor for symptoms and self-isolate for 14 days.
If you have travelled in Ontario, you should monitor and self-isolate for 14 days when you return.
Public Health Ontario – COVID-19 How to self isolate (PDF)
Public Health Ontario – COVID-19 How to self-monitor (PDF)
If my symptoms are serious, should I still go to my COVID-19 testing appointment?
No. If you are in distress (e.g. significant trouble breathing, chest pain, fainting, or have a significant worsening of any chronic disease symptoms), do not go to your testing appointment, go to the nearest Emergency Department.
Tell the emergency department staff and registration clerk you had an appointment to be tested for COVID-19.
Do I need to call a Public Health Center or book an appointment before coming in?
Appointments are preferred. Please call the public health number for your community.
Fort Albany, Attawapiskat, Kashechewan, Peawanuck and Moosonee:
Call the Porcupine Health Unit’s branch in Moosonee 705-336-2294 x 326
8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday.
Moose Factory:
Call the Moose Factory Health Centre 705-658-4220 between
8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday to Friday.
How should I travel to my COVID-19 testing appointment?
You should be taking your own personal vehicle to your appointment with no passengers. If this is not possible, you should be taking every precaution to minimizes your exposure to other people. If you take a taxi, you should be sitting in the rear seat passenger side, wear a mask if possible, ensure the window is down. Take note of the taxi information (e.g.: taxi number, name of the driver, date & time).
What do I need to bring with me if I go for my COVID-19 test?
Please bring your Ontario health card or any other i.d, a list of your current medications, and anything else that you might need while you wait to be assessed.
Can my child be assessed and tested for COVID-19?
Yes, children of all ages can be assessed and tested for COVID-19.
Children need appointments booked for testing the same as adults.
Should I come to the testing facility if I am an older adult or if I have a suppressed immune system?
Yes. Everyone will sanitize their hands and put on a mask immediately upon arriving for your test. At home paramedic testing is also available.
How are patient kept safe during the testing appointment?
- Areas for screening and assessment will be kept separate to reduce the risk of spreading infection.
- Everyone will be asked to sanitize their hands and put on a mask at the entrance.
- Please also be mindful to avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth unless you have just cleaned your hands.
If I was tested, how long does it take to get results?
It usually takes approximately 7 days to receive test results. Please continue to self-isolate while awaiting test results.
If you test negative, it’s important to continue to self isolate for 14 days from the day of your test.
Public Health Ontario – COVID-19 How to self isolate (PDF)
Will my results be confidential?
Yes. Your personal health information is protected under Ontario’s Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA).
The following information will be reported on The Ministry of Health of Ontario’s website:
- Patient age and gender
- Public Health Unit (Porcupine Health)
- Hospital involved
- Type of transmission
- Status (eg. Home isolation)