Last updated: April 26, 2022
If you are a primary care provider in East Toronto and have questions about COVID-19 treatment or would like to refer a patient to a COVID-19 assessment for treatment, please follow the process outlined here (Download PDF).
Michael Garron Hospital's (MGH) Clinical Assessment Centre offers:
Starting April 11, these groups can also get a COVID-19 PCR test and assessment, as well as prescriptions for COVID-19 treatment if necessary:
These services are available by appointment and walk-in. Appointments are prioritized. We encourage you to make an appointment in advance whenever possible.
Book an appointment at the MGH Clinical Assessment Centre.Our Clinical Assessment Centre is located on the north side of the hospital building off of Mortimer Avenue, west of the Emergency Department (see map below).
It is open every day from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. for PCR tests, assessments and take-home test kit pick-up and drop-off. Prescriptions for COVID-19 treatment are available every day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for people who are at higher risk of becoming seriously sick or being hospitalized from COVID-19. On May 23 (Victoria Day), the Clinical Assessment Centre is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The centre is wheelchair accessible. Interpreter services are available for patients who do not speak English.
A nurse or doctor will ask you questions to confirm if you need a COVID-19 PCR test or COVID-19 assessment and treatment.
If you need a COVID-19 PCR test, staff will administer a nasopharyngeal (NP) swab or, if you are a child, an oral-nasal swab. PCR tests are processed in a laboratory. They are different from rapid antigen tests and antibody tests. PCR test results should be available online within 48 hours.
It is important to remember that PCR testing represents a moment in time. Therefore, it is important that you continue to follow public health guidelines, including washing your hands, wearing a mask and physical distancing.
If you need COVID-19 assessment and treatment, staff will administer a rapid molecular test. Test results should be available on-site within 15 minutes. If the test result is negative, you do not need COVID-19 treatment.
If the rapid molecular test result is positive, a doctor will see you on-site. The doctor will conduct a further assessment and may prescribe you COVID-19 treatment, such as a pill (Paxlovid) or intravenous (IV) therapy (Remdesivir). A doctor is available on-site at our Clinical Assessment Centre every day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Depending on patient volumes, people at highest risk of becoming seriously sick or being hospitalized from COVID-19 may be prioritized for treatment.
If you need COVID-19 assessment and treatment but a doctor is not available on-site, staff may refer you to another Clinical Assessment Centre.
IMPORTANT: If you think you need COVID-19 assessment and treatment, please state this when you arrive at our Clinical Assessment Centre. Please bring a list of your medication and a list of any important medical conditions.
Symptomatic students and education staff who meet testing eligibility can pick up and drop off take-home COVID-19 PCR test kits at our Clinical Assessment Centre or COVID-19 Outreach Centres. You do not need an appointment to pick up or drop off a take-home test kit.
Due to limited supply, availability of take-home test kits varies at our sites. We recommend each household pick up one take-home test kit at a time. Additional kits may be provided on a case-by-case basis (for example, if a family has multiple children who need a test). Learn more about our take-home PCR test kits.
1. What are COVID-19 treatments?
COVID-19 treatments, also known as COVID-19 therapeutics, are prescription medications and therapies for use outside hospitals that help prevent COVID-19 symptoms from getting worse. Treatments include Paxlovid, a pill for people aged 18 and older, and Remdesivir, intravenous (IV) therapy for people aged 12 and older.
Paxlovid must be taken within five days of the start of symptoms to be effective. A full course of treatment is three pills twice daily for five days in a row. Remdesivir must be taken within seven days of the start of symptoms to be effective.
COVID-19 treatments are free for everyone who would benefit from them. You do not need a health card or health insurance.
COVID-19 treatments are not replacements for vaccination. If you have not already done so, we strongly encourage you to get fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as soon as possible to protect yourself, your loved ones and our communities. If you are aged 5 to 11, fully vaccinated means two doses. If you are aged 12 and older, fully vaccinated means three doses and four doses if you are eligible.
2. What happens if I test positive on a PCR test?
See instructions for self-isolation, contact tracing and next steps here.
Due to an overwhelming number of positive COVID-19 cases, MGH’s clinicians may not have the capacity to speak to you directly about your positive PCR test result despite our best efforts. We are prioritizing individuals in our follow-up who are at highest risk for complications from COVID-19.
3. How do I cancel an appointment at the MGH Clinical Assessment Centre?
If you booked your appointment online using a Health Myself account, you can log into your account and cancel it online.
4. What if I have symptoms of COVID-19 but I am not eligible for a PCR test, assessment or treatment?
If you have COVID-19 symptoms, you are presumed to have COVID-19 and must self-isolate according to provincial guidelines.
If you have concerns about your symptoms, contact your doctor, healthcare provider or Telehealth at 1-866-797-0000 for more information and guidance. If you develop severe symptoms requiring medical attention, such as shortness of breath or chest pain, call 911.
5. What if I am exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID-19 but I am not eligible for a PCR test or assessment?
Confirm if you need to self-isolate or self-monitor here.
6. What if there are no appointments available at the MGH Clinical Assessment Centre?
If you are eligible for a PCR test, you can visit one of our COVID-19 Outreach Centres in East Toronto. These sites do not offer prescriptions for COVID-19 treatment. However, they may be able to connect you to a referrer if you test positive and are at higher risk of becoming seriously sick or being hospitalized from COVID-19.
If you need a COVID-19 assessment or prescription for treatment, you can also walk in to the MGH Clinical Assessment Centre when a doctor is on-site: every day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
You can also visit another Clinical Assessment Centre in the Toronto region.
The MGH Clinical Assessment Centre cannot be accessed from inside of the hospital. The entrance is located on the north side of the building off of Mortimer Avenue, west of the Emergency Department (see map below).
If you require urgent care, please visit an Emergency Department or call 911 and inform them of your travel and contact history and symptoms.
If you are experiencing issues using our COVID-19 Tests Results tool, Clinical Assessment Centre booking tool or related COVID-19 web pages, please report your issue at @email.
