
Eligibility criteria for COVID-19 and Influenza Testing for Patients at Risk of Severe Illness
Consistent with O. Reg. 671/92 of the French Language Services Act, test ordering and instructions on this page is only available in English because it is scientific or technical in nature and is for use only by qualified health care providers and not by members of the public.
This page provides expanded criteria for testing eligibility in patients at higher risk of severe illness or outcomes from Influenza and COVID-19. This information supports decisions on testing for the following populations:
- People 18 years of age and older with risk factors for severe illness from COVID-19
- People 18 years of age and older seen in emergency departments, at risk of severe illness or outcomes from influenza and for whom treatment decisions may be impacted by test results
For a complete list of COVID-19 testing eligbility, please refer to the Ministry of Health’s guidance document.
For information on ordering tests from Public Health Ontario (PHO), refer to:
- Respiratory virus testing (including influenza): Respiratory Virus Test Information Sheet.
- COVID-19 PCR testing: COVID-19 PCR Test Information Sheet.
Conditions that increase risk of severe illness or outcomes in patients 18 years of age and older:
Covid-19 1,2 | Influenza3 |
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References
- Ontario Ministry of Health. Bulletin 230906 — update: COVID‑19 antiviral treatments and testing [Internet]. Toronto, ON: King’s Printer for Ontario; 2023 [cited 2024 Jan 9]. Antiviral treatments for COVID-19. Available from: Antiviral treatments for COVID-19
- Public Health Agency of Canada. People who are at risk of more severe disease or outcomes from COVID-19 [Internet]. Ottawa, ON: Government of Canada; 2022 [cited 2023 Jan 9]. Available from: People who are at risk of more severe disease or outcomes from COVID-19
- Aoki FY, Allen UD, Mubareka S, Papenburg J, Stiver HG, Evans GA. Use of antiviral drugs for seasonal influenza: Foundation document for practitioners—update 2019. J Assoc Med Microbiol Infect Dis Canada. 2019;4(2):60-82. Available from: Use of antiviral drugs for seasonal influenza: Foundation document for practitioners—Update 2019
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