COVID-19 - Get vaccinated and find public health advice for residents.
To support access to testing for all Niagara residents, Niagara Region Public Health encourages all primary care providers to offer COVID-19 testing to their patients.
If you don't see a response to your question here or on COVID-19 Information for Health Care Professionals, email HCP Engagement or call our COVID-19 Health Care Professionals information line Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:15 p.m. at 905-688-8248, press 7, then press 1. You can also review our Medical Advisories and Memos for the latest health alerts and advisories (COVID and non-COVID related).
Updated June 17
Testing in office can be performed if the health care professional is able to follow the recommendations outlined by the Province, has the appropriate tools and knowledge of how to test, and can ensure coordination of sample delivery to a laboratory providing COVID-19 testing.
You will also need:
Order COVID-19 testing swabs using the online West Region Swab Order Form.
Access additional PCR testing forms and instructions through Public Health Ontario.
What do I need to know about making testing referrals?
If it's necessary to refer patients to an external centre for testing, see testing locations in Niagara. Niagara Region Public Health offices don’t provide COVID-19 testing.
Ensure that your patient is aware of the need for safe arrangements for travel to the testing location that maintains isolation of the patient (i.e. patient should wear a medical mask or N95/KN95 respirator if they have one, otherwise they should wear a high quality three layer cloth mask and should avoid public transit if possible).
If it's necessary to refer patients to an external centre for testing, see testing locations in Niagara. Niagara Region Public Health offices don't provide COVID-19 testing.
Ensure that your patient is aware of the need for safe arrangements for travel to the testing location that maintains isolation of the patient (i.e. patient should wear a medical mask or N95/KN95 respirator if they have one, otherwise they should wear a high quality three layer cloth mask and should avoid public transit if possible).
We encourage all family physicians to communicate proactively with patients at higher risk for severe disease on how to seek treatment should they become infected with COVID-19.
Patients who are mildly to moderately ill and who have had symptoms for less than five to seven days should be assessed by a health care provider.
See the recommended drugs in adult patients with COVID-19 guide for how to properly assess disease progress and recommend treatment.
There are two antiviral treatments available:
For COVID-19 antivirals to be effective, they must be administered early in the course of illness. Out patients are currently eligible for Paxlovid within five days of symptom onset, and Remdesivir within seven days of symptom onset.
The province has outlined the following as persons who should reach out to you in primary care for assessment and testing as possible candidates for Paxlovid:
Children and adolescents under the age of 18 with risk factors for severe disease should contact their pediatrician to determine if treatments are available.
If you are unable to prescribe COVID-19 treatment, refer to the Clinical Assessment Centre within five to seven days of symptom onset.
Refer to the Ontario Science Table recommended drugs in adult patients with COVID-19 guide or the Clinical Assessment Centre referral form for complete eligibility criteria.
Paxlovid is now available for patients much more easily with a prescription from primary care, with the medication then being dispensed in pharmacies. This improves access, and allows you to treat your patients with COVID-19 the same way you would treat other illnesses.
Referrals can also be made to the Clinical Assessment Centre through Niagara Health. Check their page for up-to-date information on access to treatment.
If you are prescribing Paxlovid:
Below are links to electronic medical record forms that automate the prescription form and faxing processes. These resources will help with Paxlovid prescriptions and referrals.
If you are referring to the Clinical Assessment Centre:
The Niagara Health COVID-19 Assessment Centre will take referrals for patients with:
Complete the Clinical Assessment Centre referral form to refer the patient to the assessment centre at Niagara Health where the patient will be assessed, tested, and prescribed treatment if eligible.
Every effort should be made to immunize with an mRNA vaccine. Other vaccines should only be used when an mRNA vaccine is declined and after informed consent.
If you have clients / patients asking for either of these vaccine options, have them call the COVID-19 Info-Line to indicate their interest.
To support the rollout of COVID-19 vaccinations across the province, the Ontario eConsult of Excellence, Public Health Ontario, OMA, Ontario MD, Ontario Health, and the Ministry of Health have created a COVID-19 - Allergy / Immunology BASETM Managed Specialty Group. This new eConsult service offers allergy advice related to the COVID-19 vaccine.
Physicians and nurse practitioners will be able to submit electronically both patient-specific and general questions about COVID-19 vaccine allergies. Within a few days, allergy and clinical immunology specialists will provide a response.
To learn more or to register, visit the Ontario eConsult service.
For guidance and recommendations on personal protective equipment and infection prevention and control refer to
To order personal protective equipment go to Ontario Together: Help fight COVID-19 or review the Niagara PPE Provider Directory to find a provider.
You can also order personal protective equipment from Healthcare Materials Management Services.
Passive screening of staff continues to be recommended. Staff and healthcare providers should self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms and not come to work if they are experiencing symptoms. Learn about Provincial COVID-19 screening guidance for employers.
Follow COVID-19 patient screening guidance for active screening of patients entering healthcare settings.
The Public Health Agency of Canada expects the SARS-CoV-2 virus to continuously evolve, and is closely monitoring the domestic and international situation and preparing for new variants.
Niagara Region Public Health does not breakdown local cases by COVID-19 variant.
For additional information, visit:
Ministry of Health
National Advisory Community on Immunization
Centre for Effective Practice