COVID-19 Assessment and Testing Centres in Waterloo Region

Anyone experiencing severe symptoms is advised to immediately call 911 or visit the nearest emergency department.

Regional Covid, Cold and Flu Care Clinic

As of December 1, 2022 the Regional Care Clinic at 50 Sportsworld Drive Unit E1-02B, Kitchener is seeing patients of all ages for testing, assessment and treatment of COVID-19, as well as assessment of cold and flu symptoms. The Regional Covid, Cold, and Flu Care Clinic is available to offer support to individuals who:

  • Have moderate or worsening COVID-19, cold, or influenza-like symptoms who cannot manage safely at home; or
  • Have symptoms and are at higher risk of severe disease, who may need COVID-19 testing and/or treatments; or
  • Have COVID-19, cold, or influenza-like symptoms and do not have a regular primary care clinician; or
  • Are otherwise eligible for COVID-19 PCR testing

Patients with severe symptoms should continue to seek care at their nearest emergency department, or by calling 911.

Patients can either self-refer or be referred by a health care professional.

The Regional Covid, Cold, and Flu Care clinic is open seven days a week:

  • Sunday - Saturday: 8 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.

Testing

  • No appointment is necessary for COVID-19 testing if eligible.

Assessment and Treatment

  • Appointments for assessment and treatment are required and can be made by calling 226-806-5690.

Other options for clinical assessment and testing centres

In Ontario, publicly funded PCR testing is available to eligible individuals at clinical assessment centres, non-clinical assessment centres (testing-only), and participating community labs and pharmacies. Some individuals who are eligible for PCR testing may also be eligible for COVID-19 antiviral treatment assessment.

Clinical assessment centres

Clinical assessment centres provide care to eligible patients with moderate COVID-19 symptoms and can perform antiviral treatment assessments.

Search for clinical assessment locations in Ontario

Testing-only locations

Non-clinical assessment centres, participating pharmacies and community labs can perform PCR testing for eligible individuals, but not antiviral treatment assessments.

Search for testing locations in Ontario (includes pharmacies)

Tips about testing and test results 

Before going to a clinical assessment or testing centre
After you are tested 

The testing location will give you instructions that are specific to your situation. Continue to follow the provincial public health measures and advice following your test. If you have questions related to COVID-19 testing and isolation guidelines, please call the Provincial Testing and Isolation Information line at 1-888-777-0730.

Region of Waterloo Public Health offers a Safe Voluntary Isolation Site to support individuals who are unable to isolate safely at home.  

COVID-19 test results

PCR test samples are sent to a lab and results are often ready within 48 hours, although this timeframe is not guaranteed. Some clinical assessment centres use rapid molecular testing, which can provide diagnostic results in about 15 minutes.

Learn more about how samples are tested for COVID-19.

Depending on the testing location, you may be able to get your result:

  • Online on the test results website, if you have a photo (green) health card
  • On another website that the testing location will tell you about
  • By phone
If you have COVID-19 symptoms or test positive for COVID-19
  • If you have symptoms, you should stay home (self-isolate) until you no longer have a fever and your symptoms have been improving for 24 hours (or 48 hours if you had nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea).
  • If you test positive but do not have symptoms, you do not need to self-isolate. If symptoms develop, you should self-isolate immediately.
  • After you are done self-isolating, for a total of 10 days after your symptoms started (or the date of your positive test result if you do not have symptoms), you should:
    • Wear a well-fitted mask in all public settings (including schools and childcare, unless under two years old) and avoid non-essential activities where mask removal is necessary (e.g., playing a wind instrument in music class or removing your mask for sports or dining out)
    • Avoid visiting anyone who is immunocompromised or may be at higher risk of illness (e.g., seniors)
    • Avoid non-essential visits to highest risk settings such as hospitals, long-term care homes, and retirement homes
  • If you test negative but have symptoms, these additional precautions can be an added layer of prevention against the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses circulating in the community.
  • If you are immunocompromised and have symptoms of COVID-19 or test positive for COVID-19, you should self-isolate for ten days and follow the guidance on COVID-19 testing and treatment.
  • Antiviral treatments are now available for some eligible individuals who test positive for COVID-19 and who are at higher risk of severe illness. These treatments must be taken within the first five to seven days of symptom onset. Visit our COVID-19 treatments page for more information.
  • If you have symptoms of COVID-19 or have tested positive for COVID-19, inform all close contacts of their exposure. Check the provincial public health measures and advice for more information.
If you are a close contact of someone with COVID-19 symptoms or who has tested positive for COVID-19
  • For a total of ten days after your close contact with the COVID-19 case or individual with COVID-19 symptoms, you should:
    • Self-monitor for symptoms and self-isolate immediately if you develop symptoms of COVID-19
    • If you develop symptoms, seek testing (if eligible) and stay home until you no longer have a fever and your symptoms have been improving for 24 hours (or 48 hours if you had nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea)
    • Wear a well-fitted mask in all public settings (including schools and childcare, unless under two years old) and avoid non-essential activities where mask removal is necessary (e.g., playing a wind instrument in music class or removing your mask for sports or dining out)
    • Avoid visiting anyone who is immunocompromised or may be at higher risk of illness (e.g., seniors)
    • Avoid non-essential visits to highest risk settings such as hospitals, long-term care homes, and retirement homes. Where an essential visit cannot be avoided, you should wear a medical mask, maintain physical distancing, and notify the highest risk setting of your recent exposure

 
Rapid antigen testing (rapid testing, point of care or POC testing) 

Details on rapid antigen tests and where to find them can be found on the provincial website.  

For individuals
For employers or organizations providing private POC testing
  • Organizations (i.e., workplaces) that participate in rapid testing assume any operational, medical, and/or legal responsibilities relating to this initiative.
  • You must have a procedure in place to provide follow up on test results.
  • You must have clear processes in place to respond, should any individuals in your organization be exposed to or diagnosed with COVID-19. 
  • For more information about participating please review the Ministry of Health's COVID-19 Guidance: Considerations for Privately Initiated Testing
  • Those eligible can continue to receive a free PCR test for COVID-19 at assessment centres, participating pharmacies and community labs
  • Rapid testing kits are available through the StaySafe and ChamberCheck programs. 
  • Learn about COVID-19 testing program (Provincial Antigen Screening Program) for organizations and find out about eligibility, training, on-site rapid testing and reporting requirements.
  • Prior to implementation, please understand the local reporting requirements by the Public Health Unit.
Resources for organizations prior to implementation

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