COVID-19 testing

Regional COVID, Cold, and Flu Care Clinic (RCCFCC)

The Regional COVID, Cold and Flu Clinic (formerly the Regional COVID-19 Care Clinic) is now located at 50 Sportsworld Drive in Kitchener.

The clinic sees patients of all ages for assessment of COVID, cold, and influenza-like symptoms.

The RCCFCC offers up to 400 visits per week, to support community members 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 therapeutics such as Paxlovid and Remdesivir; 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: Provincial Eligibility guidance.

*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 (i.e., primary care clinician, pharmacist, public health staff, Health Connect Ontario nurse).

Regional COVID, Cold and Flu Care Clinic

Address: 50 Sportsworld Drive, Kitchener (formerly located at 66 Pinebush Road, Cambridge)
Hours: Monday to  Sunday (everyday): 8:00am - 3:45 pm
Parking: Free and accessible spots are available

To book an appointment:

• COVID testing for eligible people is available by walk-in, no appointment necessary.
• For cold and influenza symptom assessment, appointments are available for patients of all ages, including children.
• Please call 226-806-5690 to book an appointment.
• Patients can either self-refer or be referred by a health care professional (i.e., primary care clinician, pharmacist, public health staff, Health Connect Ontario nurse).

Referrals

• The RCCC accepts referrals for paxlovid and remdesivir COVID therapeutics, and for assessment of cold and influenza-like symptoms
• Patients may self-refer by calling the clinic at 226-806-5690 to book an appointment.
• Clinicians may submit referral forms to the RCCC for patient assessment and treatment by faxing: 519-749-4356
• Paxlovid/Remdesivir referral form

Please note: This clinic does not provide the COVID test required for travel, social events or asymptomatic testing for unvaccinated individuals. Please visit participating pharmacies and clinics.

PCR Self-Testing Satellite Site

PCR Self-testing is available for eligible residents as walk-ins at 40 Green Street, 6 days a week (closed Saturdays), 7am-11am. No appointment is needed. Free parking is located in front of clinic.

COVID, Cold, and Flu Care Clinics – What you need to know before visiting

What is a COVID, Cold, and Flu Care Clinic (CCFCC)?

A CCFCC is a medical clinic that can test, assess, and provide treatment for people with COVID-19 and other cold and flu-like illnesses.

What are the symptoms of COVID-19 and other cold and flu-like illnesses?

Below are some of the symptoms you may have when you have COVID-19 or other cold and flu-like illnesses:

• Fever or chills
• Cough (not related to other causes such as allergies)
• Difficulty breathing
• Decreased or loss of taste or smell
• Runny nose or nasal congestion
• Headache
• Extreme tiredness
• Sore throat
• Muscle aches or joint pain
• Gastrointestinal symptoms (such as vomiting or diarrhea)
• Abdominal pain (not related to other causes)
• Pink eye (not related to other causes)

When should I visit a COVID, Cold, and Flu Care Clinic?

Call your primary care provider (family doctor or nurse practitioner) first if you or your child have the symptoms above and feel you need medical care.

Your primary care provider will give you advice about what to do next. This may include:

• Caring for yourself or your child at home
• Seeing your primary care provider either virtually or in-person
• Going to a clinical assessment centre

Consider visiting a COVID, Cold, and Flu Care Clinic if:

• You do not have a primary care provider
• Your symptoms or your child’s symptoms are getting worse or are not improving, and you feel that you need medical care
• You have been told by any health professional to go to a CCFCC
• You are at high risk of getting very sick from COVID-19 and you qualify for COVID-19 testing and treatment

You can also consider contacting Health Connect Ontario or a walk-in clinic. At Health Connect Ontario, you can get advice from a nurse at any time of day by calling 811 or by online chat at ontario.ca/HealthConnectOntario.
You might also find this tip sheet made by family doctors helpful. It provides tips on deciding when to seek care for a child with respiratory illness and how to support your child at home.

Will I get antiviral treatment if I have COVID-19?

Antiviral treatment is available at clinics for people who are at high risk of getting very sick from COVID-19. Use this screener to see if you are eligible: ontario.ca/covid-treatment-screener.

If you are eligible and think you might have COVID-19, don’t delay. You will need to start treatment within five days. Call your primary care provider, go to a COVID, Cold, and Flu Care Clinic, or contact Health Connect Ontario by calling 811 or by online chat at ontario.ca/HealthConnectOntario.

When do I need to go to the emergency department?

If you or your child develop 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 in an infant younger than 3 months

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

How will I get my COVID-19 results?

1. Go to Ontario.ca/covid19 [will open in new window]
2. Click on Check your lab results on the right side of the page.
3. Fill in the information required. You will need a valid (green) Ontario health card.
4. Select Verify patient and follow the instructions.
5. For those without a valid Ontario health card, staff will let you know how you can access your results.

When will I get my COVID-19 results?

Most tests (approximately 85%) are completed within 48 hours, however it can take up to 72-96 hours depending on the volume of tests that need to be completed.