Frequently asked questions
Below you can find answers to frequently asked questions about Sunnybrook's COVID-19 Assessment Centre and booking system.
COVID-19 testing at pharmacies
Select pharmacies now offer COVID-19 testing by appointment to some people who have no symptoms. Learn more at ontario.ca/covidtest
Can I book an COVID-19 test appointment by phone?
If you are not able to use the online booking system, we do have phone call booking line. There are a limited number of appointment available for booking by telephone. These can be booked ahead up to 2 days in advance. We encourage you to use the online booking system if you have access.
The phone line is answered 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday to Thursday, or until telephone appointments are all filled up for the next 2 days. If you do not get through to a staff member, please try calling back again.
Do I need a referral or Ontario Health Card to receive a COVID-19 test?
You do not need a referral or an Ontario health card to get tested for COVID-19. If you do have a health card, please bring it to your appointment. Bringing your Ontario health card, if you have one, can help speed up the registration process and make it easier to access your test results online.
Do children (under the age of 16) need a referral to receive COVID-19 test?
Toronto Public Health recently updated their guidance about when a child should get tested for COVID-19. A child can get a COVID-19 test at the Assessment Centre if they have any one of the following symptoms:
- fever or chills (temp of 37.8 or greater)
- cough (more than usual)
- difficulty breathing
- decrease or loss of smell or taste
- runny nose or stuffy nose
- sore throat or difficulty swallowing
- nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
- headache
- unusual or extreme tiredness or muscle aches
Sunnybrook is equipped to test children over the age of one for COVID-19. Any children under the age of one should go to their local Emergency Department for COVID-19 testing.
Please note: Testing criteria for children may vary by city or region. Please check the guidance of the public health unit in your area.
Can I book a pre-camp COVID test at the Sunnybrook Assessment Centre?
You could try a local pharmacy to see if they have testing available. If they do not, you can book an appointment for a PCR test at Sunnybrook’s Assessment Centre.
What do I need to bring to my COVID-19 test appointment?
Please wear a mask and bring:
- An Ontario health card for all people being tested (if available).
- The name and contact information of your family physician, if you have one. This is so the results of your COVID-19 can be shared with your family care team.
How do I get my test results?
Wait times for COVID-19 test results can be up to 4 days. We appreciate your patience and understanding.
Please note: COVID-19 test results are no longer available in MyChart. Please use the Ministry of Health's website or phone number below to retrieve your results.
Getting your test results online
If you have a valid green Ontario health card, you can access your test results using the Ontario Ministry of Health's online tool.
If you don’t have a green Ontario health card, you will need to keep your testing label that is given to you at your test. You can use that to access your results by following the “Other or No Identification” steps on the Ministry’s online tool.
If you cannot access your results online 4 days after your test, please call the Assessment Centre at 416-480-6100 ext. 61629 for assistance.
Accessing your results by telephone
Toronto residents: Toronto residents who have issues accessing their results online, or who do not have internet access, may contact Toronto Public Health at 416-338-7600
How do I self-isolate?
Questions about COVID-19 appointment bookings
Why are all of the appointment slots full?
There is a high demand for COVID-19 testing. You can book a test up to 2 days in advance. If spots are full, please continue to self-isolate and check back tomorrow at 9:30 a.m. Time slots may also become available throughout the day due to cancellations.
You may also choose to see if other Assessment Centres in your area have appointments available. The full list of centres can be found on the Government of Ontario's website.
If you are having difficulty breathing or experiencing other severe symptoms, please call 911 or go to your closest Emergency Department.
When do new appointment slots become available?
You can book a COVID-19 test up to 2 days in advance. New time slots become available each day at 9:30 a.m. Time slots may also become available throughout the day due to cancellations.
Does your Assessment Centre still accept walk-ins?
No. The Government of Ontario announced on October 2, 2020 that all COVID-19 Assessment Centres must move to an appointment system rather than walk-ins.
How do I change my appointment time?
The system does not allow for you to change an existing appointment time. Please cancel your appointment by following the cancellation link that you get in your confirmation text or email. You can also follow the prompts on the online booking page. Please note that this will cancel all of the appointments attached to your booking.
How do I cancel my appointment?
To cancel your appointment, please follow the cancellation link that you get in your confirmation text or email. You can also follow the prompts on the online booking page. Only do this if you are cancelling all of the appointments attached to your booking. Thank you for taking the time to let us know you are no longer coming.
I am going to be late to my appointment. What do I do?
In order to keep the Assessment Centre moving on time, appointments are held for 30 minutes. If you are unable to make your appointment within this time frame, you will need to use the online system to book a new appointment at another time.
I feel a bit better today. Should I still come for my test?
If you still have any symptoms of COVID-19, you should still come to your COVID-19 test, even if you feel a little better than when you booked.
Do you have urgent same-day appointments for residents of shelters or other congregate living spaces?
Please check our online booking system for available appointments. If there are no appointments available, please call 416-480-6100 ext. 61629 for further assistance.
People experiencing homelessness who are unable to access our online or telephone booking systems and who meet the criteria for COVID-19 testing may be tested at the assessment centre during regular hours of operation.
