COVID-19 Testing & Treatment

Windsor Regional Hospital Adult & Paediatric Respiratory Care Clinic (APRCC) will permanently close at the end of the day on March 31, 2023.

As of April 1, 2023, if you think you need a COVID-19 test, assessment, or treatment, you can:

• Contact your pharmacy or locate the nearest pharmacy that provides COVID-19 testing
• Contact your primary care provider (family doctor or nurse practitioner)
• Call 811 or visit ontario.ca/health811
• Consult ontario.ca/page/covid-19-testing-and-treatment for an open assessment centre near you

If you think you have COVID-19 and are seeking treatment, don't delay. You will need to start treatment within 5 days of the start of symptoms.

If you or your child have severe symptoms, call 911 or go to the emergency department.

For adults, severe symptoms include:

• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• Loss of consciousness
• Confusion

For children, severe symptoms include:

• Working hard or straining to breathe - for example, the lower chest is moving in more than normal when the child breathes, the child is grunting, or the child's nostrils are flaring
• Bluish skin
• Unable to breastfeed or drink
• Very sleepy or difficult to wake
• Peeing less than usual
• Fever with rash
• Seizures or convulsions
• Fever (What you need to know in an infant younger than 3 months)

If you are worried your child is seriously ill, call 911 or go to the emergency department

COVID-19 TESTING INFORMATION/COMMUNITY LOCATIONS

For the most up-to-date testing recommendations, and access to antiviral treatment and testing locations please learn more here.

If you develop severe symptoms requiring medical attention, such as shortness of breath, chest pain, loss of consciousness, or confusion, call 911 or go to the emergency department.

CLINICS THAT WILL SEE PATIENTS WITH INFLUENZA-LIKE ILLNESSES

ANTIVIRAL TREATMENT FOR COVID-19

Antiviral treatments for COVID-19 can help prevent serious illness if taken quickly after symptoms start (within the first few days). They are available in Ontario for free to anyone with a prescription. A health care provider, such as a physician, nurse practitioner, or participating pharmacist, can determine if treatment is right for you, which includes whether you are at higher risk of developing severe symptoms.

You may be at higher risk if you are any of the following:

• 60 years of age or older
• 18 years of age or older and are immunocompromised
• 18 - 59 years old and at a higher risk of severe COVID-19 including having:
• one or more underlying medical conditions (such as diabetes, heart or lung disease), or
• inadequate immunity against COVID-19 from:
• not receiving a full primary series of the COVID-19 vaccine
• having received a full primary series but no COVID-19 vaccine or COVID-19 infection within the past six months

Treatment with Paxlovid must begin within five days of symptom onset to be effective. A full course of treatment is three pills twice daily for five days in a row.

Paxlovid is not a replacement for vaccination. This antiviral is a treatment that is intended for those who are at a higher risk of severe outcomes that may lead to hospitalization.

If you are deemed to qualify for oral Antiviral treatment with Paxlovid. A healthcare provider and pharmacist will review your current medications and determine if any changes to your other medications are necessary to safely take Paxlovid.

You may require additional lab work to review liver and kidney function prior to being approved for treatment.

Find a pharmacy to fill your prescription here.

We strongly encourage you to get fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as soon as possible to protect yourself, your loved ones, and our communities from COVID-19. Please book your vaccine appointment today.

For referring practitioners: you can now prescribe Paxlovid utilizing this form and have it filled at participating pharmacies. Practice Solution and Accuro digitized referral and prescription forms can be found on the South West Primary Care Alliance website (search for 'Paxlovid' using the search function). If you have any questions or trouble accessing these forms, please email info@partneringforquality.ca.

For Health Care Practitioners, Prescribing Paxlovid Resources Updated - COVID-19: Clinical Guidance for Primary Care Providers, Centre for Effective Practice Digital Tools.

A list of the participating pharmacies in Ontario that can fill a prescription for Paxlovid can be found online here or download a CSV spreadsheet.

Starting May 10, 2023, if you feel a patient requires a referral for Remdesivir consideration, please complete the first dose parental screener form here and the Home and Community Care Support Services (HCCSS) ESC Referral and Treatment form here. If you have questions, please contact ESC HCCSS at 1-888-447-4468.

INFORMATION FOR STAFF AND HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS

STAFF COVID-19 TESTING
If directed by Employee Health please book a PCR test at:

Medical Laboratories of Windsor
Address: 1428 Ouellette Avenue, WIndsor, ON, N8X 1K4
Phone: 519-258-1991

Employees can schedule their appointment using this link or attend during the following Walk-in hours:

Monday to Friday: 8:00 am - 12:00 pm
Saturday & Sunday: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm

When you arrive at Medical Laboratories of Windsor please bring your health card and inform the staff you are a WRH Employee. Please follow up with Employee Health for return-to-work guidance.

PEDIATRIC OUTPATIENT REFERRALS

For referring practitioners: If you feel your patient requires a consult to the WRH Outpatient Pediatric clinic please call 519-254-5577 ext. 55531 to speak to a physician regarding the consult. Hours of Operation Monday to Friday 8 am - 4 pm.