COVID-19 testing
Stay informed and learn how we can work together to keep New Brunswickers safe and prevent the spread of COVID-19.
If you have:
- ONE of the following symptoms: fever, or loss of sense of taste or smell;
or
- TWO of the following symptoms: a new cough or worsening chronic cough, difficulty breathing, sore throat, runny nose, headache, diarrhea, new onset of fatigue or purple markings on the fingers and toes of children
To help determine whether you need to be tested for COVID-19 and what type of test you need, please click on the Get a Test link below to find if you should:
- Schedule an in-person PCR lab-based test
or
- Pick-up an at-home Rapid POCT
Rapid POCT tests should only be used when an individual develops symptoms. You can now book an appointment to pick up a rapid test kit, even if you don’t have symptoms to use if symptoms develop at later date.
If you are having difficulty breathing or experiencing other severe symptoms, call 911 immediately.
A PCR test is conducted by a health professional at an assessment centre.
PCR tests are available if you:
- Are over 50 or are under 2 (24 months)
- Live or work in a hospital, Extra Mural and Ambulance New Brunswick (EM/ANB), long-term care facility, correctional facility or shelter or if you are a person who is precariously housed;
- Are immunocompromised
- Are pregnant
- Require a PCR test for international travel
While awaiting your test and result, you are encouraged to stay home if you have symptoms.
Once you’ve been tested at an assessment centre, it can take up to four days to receive your results. Information on how to access your online results via MyHealthNB will be provided to you by the assessment centre staff when you have your test completed.
You are encouraged to stay home while you have symptoms.
If you were tested for COVID-19, are 16 or older, have a Canadian Health Care Number (NB Medicare or other provincial/federal card), and were provided with a Registration Sheet, you may register for a MyHealthNB account to check your own results online at myhealth.gnb.ca.
MyHealthNB allows you to print an official PDF copy of your COVID-19 test result for the purposes of travel.
If you do not have access to a computer, or MyHealthNB, you can call 1-844-462-8387 for your test results.
If you tested positive for COVID-19 using a PCR test at an assessment centre:
- If more than 90 days have passed since your positive COVID-19 result, get another PCR test.
- If 30 to 90 days have passed since your positive COVID-19 result, you may get a false positive using another PCR test so you should take an at-home rapid POCT test.
o If your test is negative, and your symptoms worsen, repeat your POCT test.
o If you test positive, then it is considered a new infection. - Less than 30 days since your positive COVID-19 result, no additional COVID-19 testing is required.
The above advice is for the general public and is not meant to replace guidance for people who live or work in a hospital, Extra Mural and Ambulance New Brunswick (EM/ANB), long-term care facility, correctional facility or shelter, or people who are precariously housed.
Inquiries
If you submitted a request for a COVID-19 test and:
- it has been more than 72 hours since you sent your request; or
- you have scheduled a COVID-19 test and need to change or cancel your test.
A rapid POCT is an antigen test to screen for COVID-19 that can be done at home by someone who is not a healthcare professional. Within 15 minutes, it can help to identify if a person’s sample contains COVID-19.
If you are over age 2 you can register online to get your POCT test kit.Rapid POCT tests should only be used when an individual develops symptoms. You can now book an appointment to pick up a rapid test kit, even if you don’t have symptoms to use if symptoms develop at later date If you have a positive test, you should report it online. Do not test again.
The POCT program in New Brunswick uses rapid antigen testing devices that have been authorized for use by Health Canada. To be approved by Health Canada, manufacturers of testing devices are required to provide information related to the quality, safety, and effectiveness of the device.
At-home Rapid POCT may not qualify as a test for travel purposes. Please refer to the Iternational Travel section below for more information.
A positive rapid POCT result is a positive case of COVID-19. If you have a positive rapid POCT, follow the online instructions for those who test positive.
If you have tested positive with a rapid POCT, no further testing is needed. You may continue to test positive therefore, do not keep testing until you get a negative result.
If you have a negative rapid POCT test and your symptoms worsen or new symptoms develop, test again.
Retesting if you previously tested positive for COVID-19
If you tested positive for COVID-19 using an at-home POCT test and it has been:
- More than 30 days since your positive COVID-19 result, you should take another at-home rapid POCT test.
o If your test is negative, and your symptoms worsen, repeat your POCT test.
o If you test positive, then it is considered a new infection. - Less than 30 days since your positive COVID-19 result, no additional COVID-19 testing is required.
The above advice is for the general public and is not meant to replace guidance for people who live or work in a hospital, Extra Mural and Ambulance New Brunswick (EM/ANB), long-term care facility, correctional facility or shelter, or people who are precariously housed.
When to take your child for a PCR test
PCR tests will now only be used for children under the age two, and those who are a member of a priority group identified by Public Health.
The nose swab is the recommended standard test for all New Brunswickers, however the swish and gargle is available for children 4-11 years of age who are unable to receive the nose swab. Either test will accurately detect if your child has COVID-19.
Parents and caregivers should assess their child daily for key symptoms of illness before sending them to school or early learning childcare facility. You can use the COVID-19 self-assessment tool to determine if your child should seek testing.
How to prepare for the test
A PCR test for COVID-19 in children and youth is done by swishing and gargling sterile salt water and spitting it into a tube, or by using a swab to collect a sample from their nose. The swish and gargle test is for children ages 4 to 11 years of age. Watch a video about what you and your child can expect during a COVID-19 swish and gargle test.
Practice
Practice the swish, gargle and spit technique with salty water at home before going to the collection centre. Wait at least one hour between practicing and doing the test as practicing could affect test results. Ask your child not to swallow the water or talk when they practice.
See the instructions on how to make saline at home to practice the swish/gargle method.
How to make salty water for practice
Mix ½ teaspoon (2.5mL) of salt in 1 cup of warm water to dissolve and cool to room temperature.
PCR Test Results for Children
Parents/Guardians may be able to access the COVID-19 test results for a child (must be under 16 and have an NB Medicare number).
It is the responsibility of the traveller to remain aware of and to comply with the standards for vaccination, testing, or documentation required by their travel destination, stop-over locations, and travel provider. If you are travelling to or from an international destination, please visit the Government of Canada's travel advice and advisories page for your destination(s) to verify travel health recommendations, safety and security information.
Canada.ca
Travel Advice and Advisories
If you are planning international travel, you may need a pre-departure negative COVID-19 test OR proof of a previous positive test result. Check the requirements with your destination.
Some destinations accept a rapid POCT antigen test (often referred to as a “rapid test”) supervised by a healthcare professional. Rapid POCT completed at home may not qualify as a test for travel purposes. Supervised POCT antigen tests are available from several private providers. The following companies offering fee-based travel testing:
If you have recently recovered from COVID-19, your positive test result may be sufficient for you to travel. Some destinations may require a COVID-19 recovery letter from a licensed health-care provider. Check the requirements with your destination.
You can request a recovery letter through this service if:
- You require proof that you have recovered from COVID-19 for the purpose of travel; AND
- You previously tested positive with a PCR test administered by the Horizon or Vitalité Regional Health Authority at an assessment centre or hospital (test must have been administered at least 10 days prior to travel); AND
- You have recovered from COVID-19
You can not request a recovery letter through this service if:
- You tested positive for COVID-19 outside of New Brunswick
- Your test was administered by a private sector testing provider
- Your COVID-19 positive result was obtained by use of a rapid POCT antigen test (often referred to as a “rapid test” or “at-home test”). If you tested positive with an at-home POCT, and need a recovery letter to travel internationally, you can get a PCR test for travel in order to get a recovery letter. Book a PCR test
If your test was administered by a private sector testing provider, contact that provider for documentation.
To obtain a COVID-19 recovery letter for travel, call 1-833-437-1424. You will require the following information:
- First and last name
- Date of birth
- Email address
- Health card number
- Alternate ID (such as your passport if you DO NOT have a health card)
- Positive PCR test date (must be at least 10 days prior to travel)
All recovery letters issued by New Brunswick Public Health state that a person is considered recovered 10 days after the date of their confirmed positive COVID-19 test.