Health Unit: 'Positive rapid antigen test results do not need to be reported' under new provincial guidelines

The North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit says it is responding to the evolving situation related to the COVID-19 Omicron variant of concern.

See related: Here's a breakdown of Ontario's current COVID-19 response

See also: Health Unit: 2 remain hospitalized; 94 new cases in final COVID-19 report of year

With the Ministry of Health providing updated guidance on testing, in addition to case, contact, and outbreak management, the Health Unit has now updated its testing information at www.myhealthunit.ca/COVID-19Testing, and added www.myhealthunit.ca/COVIDGuide with next steps for anyone who has COVID-19 symptoms, is exposed to a confirmed or presumed case, or tests positive. Other dashboard reporting will be updated to reflect this new interim guidance.

Under the new Ministry guidance, individuals who are eligible for COVID-19 PCR testing in our region will continue to have access to the Assessment Centres for testing. Positive results from these PCR tests will be received and tracked by the Health Unit and updated on the dashboard daily. Positive rapid antigen test results do not need to be reported to the Health Unit.

All test-confirmed COVID-19 cases (i.e. people who test positive on PCR, rapid molecular, or rapid antigen tests) should notify high-risk contacts of their exposure.

High-risk contacts include:

• Anyone with whom the COVID-19 positive person came into close contact within the 48 hours prior to symptom onset if symptomatic, or 48 hours prior to the test date if asymptomatic, and until the positive person started self-isolating.
• Close contact means you were in close proximity (less than 2 meters) to them for at least 15 minutes, or for multiple short periods of time, without appropriate measures such as masking and use of personal protective equipment.
• Other high-risk contacts as advised by public health.

See: Ontario halts visits, social trips for long-term care residents amid Omicron spread

And: Ontario study of COVID cases suggests Omicron not as severe as Delta

The Health Unit or the Provincial Workforce is still completing case and contact management for cases and contacts that live, work, attend, volunteer or are admitted to any highest-risk settings.

Highest-risk settings include:

• Hospitals and healthcare settings, including complex continuing care facilities and acute care facilities
• Congregate living settings (e.g., long-term care homes, retirement homes, First Nation elder care lodges, group homes, shelters, hospices, temporary foreign worker settings, and correctional institutions)
• First Nations, Inuit, Métis communities