COVID-19 Testing in PEI

If you experience any symptoms of COVID-19, get tested and self-isolate until the results come back. Everyone is also encouraged to download the free national COVID Alert app, which will let them know if they have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.

Where to get tested?

Drop-in clinics.

There is also testing at points of entry for asymptomatic travelers arriving in PEI.

Drop-in Clinics

• Borden-Carleton, 20 Dickie Road:  Open 7 days a week. 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
• Summerside, Slemon Park:  Monday, Wednesday and Friday 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.; Sunday 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
• Charlottetown, 64 Park Street:  Monday to Saturday 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Sunday 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
• Montague, 14 Rosedale Road:  Monday and Thursday 9:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.
• O’Leary, 14 MacKinnon Drive:  Tuesday and Friday 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Call 1-855-354-4358 to inquire about COVID testing.

Cough and Fever Clinics

If you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, call 8-1-1 to be screened. If you meet the criteria for an assessment, you will receive a call directly from the Cough and Fever clinic to book an appointment.

• Charlottetown, 64 Park Street:  Monday and Wednesday 1 – 4 p.m. and Friday 8 – 12 p.m.
• Summerside, Slemon Park:  Tuesday and Thursday 1 – 4 p.m.

When you should be tested

• If you develop COVID-19 symptoms, including new or worsening cough, fever/chills, sore throat, runny nose, sneezing, congestion, shortness of breath, headache, muscle aches, unusual fatigue, or loss of sense of smell or taste, go to a drop-in clinic (listed above) and isolate until you receive results.
• As per applicable testing schedules during your first 8 days (or 14 days for international travelers) in the province; and
• Upon entry to the province, as directed.

If you have any health concerns or need immediate health information, call 811 to speak to an experienced registered nurse for advice on the best course of action.

Anyone with emergency medical needs should call 911 or seek emergency services when:

• experiencing discomfort or tightness in the chest;
• experiencing unusual shortness of breath;                                                          
• experiencing abdominal pain;
• experiencing prolonged and persistent headache or dizziness;
• an injury may require stitches or involve a broken bone;
• a child has prolonged diarrhea or vomiting; or
• a baby under six months of age has a fever of 38°C (100.4°F) or higher.

Point of Entry testing sites

Borden, Dickie Road: – Rapid point of care testing only on entry into PEI. Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Charlottetown Airport – For all commercial flight arrivals, there is rapid point of care testing for testing on entry into PEI.

Wood Islands – There is rapid point of care testing** for testing on entry into PEI. Residents in Kings County can use the Wood Islands testing site if they require testing but have no symptoms. Available times are 10 a.m. to 12 noon and 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., seven days per week. People experiencing COVID-19 symptoms should go to the Charlottetown testing clinic on Park Street. 

Rapid Point of Care Testing

The rapid point of care testing available at the Charlottetown, Summerside and Borden clinics, and the testing sites at Borden (the Confederation Bridge), Charlottetown Airport and Wood Islands use the Abbott ID Now rapid molecular test. The test uses a lower nasal swab, meaning that the swab goes no deeper than 1 cm into the nose.

A positive result on the Abbott ID Now is considered a preliminary positive until confirmed by a lab-based PCR test.

People who have a preliminary positive result from a rapid point of care test will be called directly by the Chief Public Health Office within two hours and be directed to a testing clinic to have a confirmatory lab-based PCR test. They will be required to self-isolate while waiting for the result from the PCR test.

Those who do not receive a call within two hours are considered to have a negative result. 

You can also view the negative results online, but please note there will be a delay (up to 72 hours) before the result will be available on the website. Note: Rapid test results from the Wood Islands ferry will not be available on the website.

Your test results

• If your test result is positive the Chief Public Health Officer will contact you directly.
• If your test is negative you can get the test result online within up to 72 hours of testing at My test result.

How to get tested and receive a report of your test results before travel

You are responsible to know the requirements of your country of destination regarding COVID-19 test results. 

Request a report of your test result for travel as follows:

1. At least five (5) days prior to travel, complete the online form to Request your COVID-19 Test Results Report.
2. Go to a drop-in testing site to get your COVID (PCR) test done based upon your countries destination requirement (ie. 72 hours).  
3. Once test is completed and report is ready, QEH Health Records will email your results report as a PDF document.

Note: Requests submitted after noon on Friday will be reviewed on the next business day, either Monday or Tuesday following a holiday weekend.

If you need information, please contact 1-833-533-9333 (option 1),  or email COVIDtravel@gov.pe.ca.