Testing Information

Universal Testing

Testing is part of the Saskatchewan Health Authority's strategy to limit the spread of COVID-19 and is made available to anyone wishing to be tested. You do not need to travel internationally or demonstrate symptoms in order to be tested.

Any individual can obtain a referral to a community testing centre by phoning:

• HealthLine 811
• Your family physician
• Your nurse practitioner

Please call HealthLine 811 by dialing 811 if you have questions regarding COVID-19 and your health. HealthLine 811 can help you with screening for COVID-19 to determine if a test is recommended for you and refer you for testing if indicated. Testing will be prioritized according to established criteria placing higher priority on referrals that are most urgent, including individuals who are symptomatic or for health care workers.

LAUNCH SELF-ASSESSMENT

Testing continues to be strongly recommended for:

• Anyone who has unexplained new or worsening symptoms (even mild symptoms) that may include one or more of the following:
  • fever
  • cough
  • headache
  • muscle and/or joint aches and pains
  • sore throat
  • chills
  • runny nose
  • nasal congestion
  • conjunctivitis
  • dizziness
  • fatigue
  • nausea/vomiting
  • diarrhea
  • loss of appetite (difficulty feeding for children)
  • loss of sense of taste or smell
  • shortness of breath
  • difficulty breathing

Testing is also recommended for:

• Patients being admitted to an acute care hospital for a stay anticipated to be greater than 24 hours. This includes all expectant mothers entering a health facility to give birth.
• Symptomatic individuals who are homeless or living in other vulnerable settings.
• Health care workers caring for certain immunocompromised patients.
• Any one working outside the home, including those currently working or returning to work as part of the Re-Open Saskatchewan Plan, who desires a test.
• Teachers and staff in elementary and high schools, ahead of and during the school year.

Your local public health official may also advise you to be tested if you have been identified as being at risk following contact with someone known or suspected of having COVID-19, or if you have been identified as being at high risk due to the active spread of COVID-19 in your workplace or community. Public health will contact you if you need to be tested under these circumstances.

Everyone should be familiar with self-monitoring and self-isolation precautions in order to keep you and those around you safe.

If you have questions about COVID-19, you can:

• Call HealthLine 811
• Access the most up-to-date news and information on www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19
• Email COVID19@health.gov.sk.ca

Except where drive-thru options are available, testing for COVID-19 is available in Saskatchewan by referral only and not through walk-in testing.

Patients are advised to use this self-assessment tool to determine if they should be tested for COVID-19. Those who fit the criteria and suspect they may have COVID-19 can obtain a referral to a community testing site by phoning 811 or contacting their family physician or nurse practitioner.

Addresses for specific for COVID-19 Testing sites and COVID-19 Assessment and Treatment Centres are provided to patients after referrals are made and testing is booked. Patients will be informed of the address during those conversations.

Testing Sites: The following locations perform COVID-19 screening and testing only. No patient assessment or care is performed at these locations.

Information updated September 20, 2020

• The Saskatchewan Health Authority will be launching two drive-thru COVID-19 testing sites this month; one in Regina and one in Saskatoon.
• Testing is universally available to anyone who requests it, regardless of whether they have symptoms or not.
• The drive-thru testing sites will not require a referral from HealthLine 811 or a family physician or nurse practitioner; however, a valid Saskatchewan Health Card will be required for each person getting tested.
• The drive-thru sites will also be first come, first served so it is likely that anyone wanting to get tested can expect some wait times.
• These drive-thru testing sites are one of the ways the SHA is expanding the options for people to get tested for COVID-19 to reach the testing targets of 4000 tests performed per day.
• Collectively, Regina and Saskatoon account for approximately half of our provincial testing each day.
• Please note there are no public washrooms available at the Drive-Thru Test Sites.

Locations and Hours of Operations

Drive-Thru Testing Sites Q&A
Regina Drive-Thru Testing Site Map
Saskatoon Drive-Thru Testing Site Map

COVID-19 test results are conducted at the Roy Romanow Provincial Laboratory. When results are positive, the local Medical Health Officer and the ordering physician are immediately informed. Patients with positive test results will be notified of their results by medical authorities.

In general, patients are notified of negative COVID-19 test results within 24 to 72 hours of testing being done, though it may take longer due to increased demand. If testing was ordered by a family physician, the physician will connect back with the patient. Factors such as the volume of tests being processed or the distance the test is transported may affect the length of time it takes to notify the patient.

If you would like to receive your COVID-19 test results online, sign up for MySaskHealthRecord at eHealthsask.ca. Click on the blue "MySaskHealthRecord" button in the middle of the page.

We understand that residents have questions about COVID-19 in Saskatchewan.

If you have questions about COVID-19 or your health, please call HealthLine 811.

Public inquiries may be directed to COVID19@health.gov.sk.ca