Last updated: January 27, 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 physicians and nurses who you can trust to provide reliable, science-based answers to your questions about COVID-19 and vaccines.
Our COVID-19 Outreach Centres offer:
- Walk-in COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests for eligible local residents who are four months of age or older.
- Pick up and drop off of take-home COVID-19 PCR test kits for symptomatic students and education staff who meet testing eligibility.
- COVID-19 vaccines for local residents aged 5 and older. (As of December 16, 2021, COVID-19 vaccines are temporarily unavailable by walk-in at some locations. Vaccines are available by appointment at some locations.)
- Other COVID-19 and health supports varying by locations.
PCR TEST ELIGIBLITY
COVID-19 PCR test criteria and eligibility is set out by the Ontario government. Before seeking out a COVID-19 PCR test, please read the list of individuals eligible for a PCR test. As of January 18, pregnant people, first responders (including fire, police and paramedics) and household members of individuals working in high-risk settings can also get a PCR test if they are symptomatic. Individuals seeking a PCR test may be asked to show proof of eligibility before a test is administered.
TAKE-HOME PCR TEST KITS
Symptomatic students and education staff who meet testing eligibility can pick up and drop off take-home COVID-19 PCR test kits at our COVID-19 Outreach Centres or the MGH COVID-19 Assessment Centre. You do not need an appointment to pick up or drop off a take-home test kit.
Due to increased testing volumes and 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.
ABOUT THE PCR TEST
The COVID-19 PCR test is similar to that of other respiratory illnesses and involves taking a sample from the nasal cavity with a swab. PCR tests are processed in a laboratory. It is different from a rapid antigen test and an antibody test.
Test results should be available online within 96 hours. Please do not get a second COVID-19 PCR test while you are waiting for results unless you are instructed to by a healthcare professional. Health cards are preferred but not required for PCR tests.
Eligible children who visit our COVID-19 Outreach Centres receive an oral-nasal PCR test, which involves rubbing the inside of the mouth and the front of the nose with a swab for less than five seconds. It is less invasive than the nasopharyngeal (NP) swab that is commonly used for COVID-19 PCR tests. This helps increase the likelihood that children and youth will have pleasant testing experiences.
COVID-19 VACCINES
As of December 16, 2021, COVID-19 vaccines are temporarily unavailable by walk-in at some of our COVID-19 Outreach Centre locations. Vaccines are available by appointment at some locations. COVID-19 vaccines are also available by appointment at our vaccine clinics and by walk-in our mobile and pop-up vaccine clinics across East Toronto. Please read the eligibility carefully for these sites.
COVID-19 Outreach Centre Locations:
Danforth Village
Address:
3003 Danforth Ave., Toronto, ON M4C 1M9
(Located at Shoppers World Danforth plaza. For testing and take-home PCR test kit pick-up and drop-off, go to the storefront between LA Fitness and Coin Laundry. For vaccines, enter the plaza from Danforth Avenue or Victoria Park Avenue. Enter the mall using the entrance under the Lowe's sign between Nature's Health Food and Royal Shawarma & Kabob. The clinic will be located inside the mall to your immediate left.)
Dates:
-
January 6, 7, 8, 9, 13, 14, 15, 16, 20, 21, 22, 23, 27, 28, 29, 30
(Open every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday) -
February 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 24, 25, 26, 27
(Open every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday)
Services and hours of operation:
-
Walk-in COVID-19 PCR testing for eligible individuals: 1-7 p.m.
-
Take-home PCR test kit pick-up and drop-off for symptomatic students and education staff who meet testing eligibility: 1-7 p.m.
-
Registration for testing and test kit drop-off ends at 6:45 p.m. Please arrive before registration ends to ensure you can receive these services. Wait times may vary on high-volume days.
-
Walk-in COVID-19 vaccines: Starting January 27, walk-ins are available every day except Sunday, 10:15 a.m.-5:30 p.m. for individuals aged 12 and older who live in any "M" postal code. Vaccines are also available by appointment. Book an appointment.
Flemingdon Park
Address:
10 Gateway Blvd., Unit 100A, Toronto, ON M3C 3A1
(Located to the right of the apartment entrance.)
Dates:
-
January 1-31 (Open daily, including on January 1)
-
February 1-28 (Open daily, including on Family Day)
Services and hours of operation:
-
Walk-in COVID-19 PCR testing for eligible individuals: 1-7 p.m.
-
Take-home PCR test kit pick-up and drop-off for symptomatic students and education staff who meet testing eligibility: 1-7 p.m.
-
Registration for testing and test kit drop-off ends at 6:45 p.m. Please arrive before registration ends to ensure you can receive these services. Wait times may vary on high-volume days.
-
Walk-in flu assessments: 1-7 p.m.
-
COVID-19 vaccines are temporarily unavailable at this location.
Leslieville
Address:
1000 Gerrard Street East, Toronto, ON M4M 3G6
(Gerrard Square Shopping Centre – located on the south side of the mall to the left of Freedom Mobile. Please follow signage upon arrival.)
Dates:
-
January 1-31 (Open daily, including on January 1)
- February 1-28 (Open daily, including on Family Day)
Services and hours of operation:
-
Take-home PCR test kit pick-up and drop-off for symptomatic students and education staff who meet testing eligibility: 1-7 p.m.
-
Test kit drop-off ends at 6:45 p.m.
-
This location does not offer walk-in COVID-19 PCR testing for eligible individuals.
-
Walk-in COVID-19 vaccines: Starting January 27, 10:15 a.m.-5:30 p.m. for individuals aged 12 and older who live in any "M" postal code. Vaccines are also available by appointment. Book an appointment.
Taylor-Massey (Crescent Town)
Address:
4 The Market Place, East York, ON, M4C 5M1
(Located inside Crescent Town Health Centre. Use side entrance next to DrugSmart Pharmacy)
Dates:
-
January 5, 10, 11,12, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26, 31
(Open every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday starting January 5) - February 1, 2, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23, 28
(Open every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, including on Family Day)
Services and hours of operation:
-
Walk-in COVID-19 PCR testing for eligible individuals: 1-6:30 p.m.
-
Take-home PCR test kit pick-up and drop-off for symptomatic students and education staff who meet testing eligibility: 1-6:30 p.m.
-
Registration for testing and test kit drop-off ends at 6:15 p.m. Please arrive before registration ends to ensure you can receive these services. Wait times may vary on high-volume days.
-
Walk-in flu assessments: 1-6:30 p.m.
-
Walk-in case management: 1-6:30 p.m.
-
COVID-19 vaccines are temporarily unavailable at this location.
Thorncliffe Park
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.)
Dates:
-
January 1-31 (Open daily, including on January 1)
-
February 1-28 (Open daily, including on Family Day)
Services and hours of operation:
-
Walk-in COVID-19 PCR testing for eligible individuals: 1-7 p.m.
-
Take-home PCR test kit pick-up and drop-off for symptomatic students and education staff who meet testing eligibility: 1-7 p.m.
-
Registration for testing and test kit drop-off ends at 6:45 p.m. Please arrive before registration ends to ensure you can receive these services. Wait times may vary on high-volume days.
-
Walk-in COVID-19 vaccines: 9 a.m.-7 p.m. for individuals aged 5 and older who live in any "M" postal code. Vaccines are also available by appointment. Book an appointment.
Warden Woods
Address:
76 Firvalley Court, Scarborough, ON M1L 1N9
(The Hub at Warden Woods Community Centre. Entrance located behind the centre. Please walk around the parking lot to enter the clinic.)
Dates:
-
January 5, 7, 9, 12, 14, 16, 19, 21, 23, 26, 28, 30
(Open every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday) -
February 2, 4, 6, 9, 11, 13, 16, 18, 20, 23, 25, 27
(Open every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday)
Services and hours of operation:
-
Take-home PCR test kit pick-up and drop-off for symptomatic students and education staff who meet testing eligibility: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
-
Test kit drop-off ends at 3:45 p.m.
-
This location does not offer walk-in COVID-19 PCR testing for eligible individuals.
-
COVID-19 vaccines are temporarily unavailable at this location.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT PCR TESTING
1. 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.
2. What if I have symptoms of COVID-19 but I do not meet the PCR test criteria?
If you have COVID-19 symptoms, you are presumed to have COVID-19 and must self-isolate as soon as possible according to the following recommended self-isolation periods:
- Individuals who are fully vaccinated and children under 12 years of age: Self-isolate for five days after symptom onset. You can end self-isolation after five days if your symptoms are improving for at least 24 hours, and if all public health and safety measures (such as masking and physical distancing) are followed.
- Individuals who are unvaccinated, partially vaccinated or immunocompromised: Self-isolate for 10 days after symptom onset.
All household contacts must also self-isolate for the same duration as the person with symptoms, regardless of their vaccination status. If you have symptoms of COVID-19, you should also consider informing close contacts beyond your household contacts by providing them with the link to Ontario.ca/exposed. Individuals who are eligible for a PCR test are encouraged to get tested.
If you have concerns about your symptoms, contact your doctor, healthcare provider or Telehealth for more information and guidance. If you develop severe symptoms requiring medical attention, such as shortness of breath or chest pain, call 911.
3. What if I am exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID-19 but I do not meet the PCR test criteria?
If you are fully vaccinated, have no symptoms and do not live with the positive case, you are advised to:
- Self-monitor for symptoms for 10 days since you last interacted with the positive case.
- Maintain masking, physical distancing and adherence to all other public health measures if leaving home.
- Do not visit any high-risk settings or individuals who may be at higher risk of illness (e.g., seniors) for 10 days from your last exposure.
If you are not fully vaccinated, or are immunocompromised, you must self-isolate immediately for 10 days following your last contact. If you live with the positive case, you must isolate for the length of their isolation period. Individuals who are eligible for a PCR test are encouraged to get tested.
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), Warden Woods Community Centre and WoodGreen Community Services.
Support is provided by the City of Toronto and Ontario Health.