The government announced on Thursday that starting Friday, PCR testing is only recommended for symptomatic people who are hospitalized, in long-term care or retirement homes, health-care workers, First Nations, or students and staff, among other high-risk groups.
It is no longer recommended that asymptomatic individuals get a PCR test, except for those in high-risk settings. Those in the general public who have mild symptoms are also being advised to not seek testing.
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The move came as the province’s testing system became strained with high demand amid the Omicron surge.
It means that in the coming days, daily case counts in Ontario will be less accurate in displaying a true representation of the virus’s spread in the community.
— with files from Gabby Rodrigues
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