Testing Information

Testing is part of the Saskatchewan Health Authority strategy to contain, mitigate and delay the spread of COVID-19. Expanded testing has been implemented to align with the most recent evidence and consideration of practices in other jurisdictions. Saskatchewan is among the provinces with the widest access to testing. You do not need to have travelled internationally to get a referral for testing. 

You 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.

LAUNCH SELF-ASSESSMENT

Testing is 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 will also be available for:

• Immunocompromised asymptomatic individuals such as cancer patients, in advance of undergoing immunosuppressive procedures such as chemotherapy.
• 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.
• Increased testing for symptomatic individuals who are homeless or living in other vulnerable settings.
• Further collaboration with First Nations and Métis communities to increase active case finding and testing of symptomatic individuals.
• Testing available to all health care workers caring for certain immunocompromised patients.
• Testing is available to any one working outside the home, including those currently working, or returning to work as part of the Reopen Saskatchewan plan, who desire a test.
• Mobile (worksite) testing for high volume work settings (factories, industrial settings, etc.) for individuals requesting a test.

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

Testing for COVID-19 is available through Saskatchewan by referral only and not for 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.

COVID-19 test results are currently available within approximately 24 hours of being received at the Roy Romanow Provincial Laboratory (RRPL). When results are positive, the local Medical Health Officer and the ordering physician are immediately informed. Patients with positive test results will be immediately 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. 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.

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