Cold, Flu and COVID-19 Services

Hand on a childs forehead checking their temperature.

Last updated: December 13, 2023

Michael Garron Hospital (MGH) provides some supports for people experiencing respiratory illness symptoms, including those related to cold, flu and COVID-19. However, supports for these health concerns are also available in the community.

Learn how to protect yourself, your family and your community from cold, flu, COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses.

What to do if you have cold, flu and COVID-19 symptoms

Cold, flu and COVID-19 symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose and sore throat. See a full list of symptoms.

If your symptoms are severe and potentially life-threatening (e.g. shortness of breath, chest pain), please call 9-1-1 immediately or go to your nearest hospital emergency department.

If your symptoms are not life-threatening, take the Ontario Government’s COVID-19 Self-Assessment for recommendations on what to do next. Recommended next steps may include self-isolating or, if you are at higher risk of severe illness, seeking COVID-19 testing and treatment like the Paxlovid pill.

You can also view our COVID-19 Testing Guide to help you determine if you need to seek COVID-19 testing and treatment. We encourage you to save or print this document for easy access.

Where to get your PCR test results if you were tested at MGH

If you received a COVID-19 PCR test at MGH, test results should be available within 48 hours. Please do not get a second test while you are waiting for results unless you are instructed to by a healthcare provider.

To check your COVID-19 PCR test results, you will need the following information:

  • First name
  • Last name
  • Date of birth
  • Health card number or MRN (medical record number)

Check your COVID-19 PCR test results USING THE ONTARIO GOVERNMENT'S WEBSITE

If you received a COVID-19 PCR test at another testing location, you may be able to check your results using the same website linked above. If you are not able to find your test results online, contact the testing location or the healthcare provider who performed the test to learn how to get your results.

Where to get treatment for COVID-19, including the Paxlovid pill

If you have symptoms (even if they are mild) and you are at higher risk of severe COVID‑19, seek testing and care immediately by either:

  • Contacting a pharmacist who is prescribing Paxlovid
  • Visiting a Clinical Assessment Centre (where you can get tested, assessed and treated or a prescription)
  • Contacting a primary care provider (e.g. your family doctor or nurse practitioner)

You can use a rapid antigen test (RAT) if you have one, but it’s important to understand that these tests may be negative in the early stage of infection. If you do not have a RAT, or if your test result is negative, seek PCR testing and clinical assessment immediately.

Where to get the COVID-19 vaccine

COVID-19 vaccines are free and available to everyone aged six months and older. They are available at the following sites:

Learn more about COVID-19 vaccines, including eligibility and when you should get your next dose of the vaccine.

Where to get the flu vaccine

Flu vaccines are free and available to everyone aged six months and older. It is safe to get the flu vaccine at the same time as, or at any time before or after, the COVID-19 vaccine.

Flu season typically runs from late fall to early spring. You should get a flu vaccine as soon as possible during this time as it takes two weeks to take effect. Learn where different age groups can get the flu vaccine.

Where to get more information about cold, flu, COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses
  • Visit the Ontario Government’s website
  • Contact your family doctor or nurse practitioner
  • Visit Health811 or call 8-1-1 (TTY: 1-866-797-0007) to get health advice from a registered nurse or find health services or information, 24 hours a day, seven days a week
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