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COVID-19 Testing and Treatment Guidance
COVID-19 Testing and Treatment Guidance
COVID-19 Testing
Testing is only recommended for people with symptoms who are at high risk of becoming seriously ill from COVID-19 and need to know if they have COVID-19 for medical care (e.g. treatment). Your healthcare provider will determine if you need testing and treatment.
As the federal supply of COVID-19 tests comes to an end, Manitoba will stop providing rapid antigen test kits once they run out. Healthcare providers will continue to offer testing for Manitobans who need it for treatment decisions.
If you have a PCR test for COVID-19, you can access your results at the Shared Health portal: https://sharedhealthmb.ca/covid19/test-results/.
Antiviral Treatments
Antiviral treatments for COVID-19, such as Paxlovid, can help prevent severe illness in individuals at high risk of becoming seriously ill. For example, Paxlovid is recommended for adults who have symptoms and have a moderately to severely weakened immune system. Your health care provider can let you know whether treatment is recommended based on your health history. To be effective, treatment with Paxlovid must be started within five days of your symptoms starting. If treatment is recommended for you, it is best to call your health care provider as soon as you start having symptoms.
You may get Paxlovid at no cost through a community pharmacy if you:
- have an active Manitoba Health card,
- are prescribed Paxlovid, and
- meet the clinical eligibility criteria for the coverage program.
Other treatments may be recommended by your health care provider.
Health care providers can get more information on COVID-19 treatment at: https://sharedhealthmb.ca/files/covid-19-guide-for-therapeutics.pdf.
After Treatment or If you have Symptoms and are not Tested
After receiving COVID-19 treatment, or if you have respiratory symptoms and are not tested, follow public health guidance to help limit the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory infections.