Last updated: August 12, 2022
Michael Garron Hospital (MGH) and East Toronto Health Partners' (ETHP) COVID-19 Outreach Centres are one-stop shops for COVID-19 supports and resources. They are staffed by local family doctors and nurses who you can trust to provide reliable, science-based answers to your questions about COVID-19.
Our COVID-19 Outreach Centres offer:
Everyone is welcome. No health card is needed and services are free.
A nurse or doctor will ask you questions to confirm if you need a COVID-19 PCR test or COVID-19 treatment. Types of treatment include the Paxlovid pill; Remdesivir, an intravenous (IV) therapy; and the Evusheld injection.
If staff think 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 wearing a mask, physical distancing and washing your hands.
If staff think you may need Paxlovid or Remdesivir, 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 Paxlovid or Remdesivir.
If you need Paxlovid, you will be prescribed and given the medication on-site at the COVID-19 Outreach Centre. If you need Remdesivir, staff will connect you with the MGH Clinical Assessment Centre.
If staff think you may need Evusheld, staff will connect you with the MGH Clinical Assessment Centre.
Depending on patient volumes, people at highest risk of becoming seriously sick or being hospitalized from COVID-19 may be prioritized for treatment.
IMPORTANT: If you think you need COVID-19 treatment, please state this when you arrive at one of our COVID-19 Outreach Centres. 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.
Please note COVID-19 vaccines are temporarily unavailable at our Flemingdon Park and Taylor-Massey locations. Toronto Public Health provides COVID-19 vaccines at the Thorncliffe Park location.
Visit the Ontario government's website to see eligibility criteria for all COVID-19 vaccine doses.
If you need your COVID-19 vaccine, you can also book an appointment at a clinic near you using the provincial booking system online or by calling the provincial booking system at 1-833-943-3900.
You can also get vaccinated by appointment and walk-in at select sites operated by Toronto Public Health and participating pharmacies.
Address:
10 Gateway Blvd., Unit 100A, Toronto, ON M3C 3A1
(Located to the right of the apartment entrance.)
Services and hours of operation:
Address:
4 The Market Place, East York, ON, M4C 5M1
(Located inside Crescent Town Health Centre. Use side entrance next to DrugSmart Pharmacy.)
Services and hours of operation:
Address:
45 Overlea Blvd., Toronto, ON M4H 1C2
(Thorncliffe Park Community Hub, located at the east end of East York Town Centre.
For testing and take-home PCR test kit pick-up and drop-off, enter the mall through the door to the immediate left of Galito’s Flame-Grilled Chicken and go to the second floor.
For vaccines, enter the mall through Entrance 6 and go to the second floor.)
Services and hours of operation:
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:
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, four or five doses, depending on your eligibility.
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. What if I have symptoms of COVID-19 but I am not eligible for a PCR test?
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.
4. What if I am exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID-19 but I am not eligible for a PCR test?
Confirm if you need to self-isolate or self-monitor here.
These COVID-19 Outreach Centres are organized by East Toronto Health Partners (ETHP) and include the following partner organizations: East Toronto Family Practice Network (EasT-FPN), Flemingdon Health Centre (FHC), Health Access Thorncliffe Park (HATP), Michael Garron Hospital (MGH), TNO – The Neighbourhood Organization (TNO) and WoodGreen Community Services.
Support is provided by the City of Toronto and Ontario Health.
