Get a COVID-19 test

At-home rapid testing

Where to get an at-home rapid test

COVID-19 at-home test kits are testing devices that you can buy online or over the counter. You use it to test yourself for COVID-19 at home or elsewhere.

In a community 

Find where and when you can pick up an at-home test in the Yukon's communities.

In Whitehorse

You can pick up an at-home test in Whitehorse at:

  • Bigway in Copper Ridge;
  • Medicine Chest Pharmacy's;
  • Shoppers Drug Mart on Main Street;
  • Shoppers Drug Mart in the Qwanlin Mall;
  • Save-On Foods;
  • Super A in Riverdale;
  • Superstore; and
  • Walmart Supercentre.

Find hours of operation.

How does the at-home rapid test work?

At-home test kits provide you with results within about 30 minutes. They’re different from self-collection kits you use to collect a sample to send to a laboratory.

  • Do not send samples from self-test kits to a laboratory.
  • You should only use a self-test kit that Health Canada approved.

When you test yourself

  • Follow the at-home test package instructions carefully.
  • You can read the instructions online.

Your COVID-19 test result

We recommend that you stay home until you feel better regardless of your test result. 

Feeling better means that:

  • your fever has been gone for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications (this includes all medications that decrease symptoms including Tylenol or ibuprofen);
  • it has been at least 48 hours since the last episode of vomiting or diarrhea; and
  • other symptoms feel like they have noticeably improved, and none of your symptoms are getting worse.

You do not have to stay home until all symptoms are completely gone. After a viral infection, you may have symptoms that linger, such as a cough. If you have lingering symptoms it does not mean you need to stay home until they completely go away.

Find more information about what to do if you get a positive COVID-19 test result. 

If your at-home test is negative

If your test result is negative your next step will depend on your symptoms. 

Find more information about what your test results mean. 

If your at-home test result is invalid

An invalid test result means your self-test kit did not produce either a negative or positive result.

If this happens and you have symptoms, you should either:

  • re-test yourself with an at-home rapid test; or
  • stay home until you feel better and your fever has been gone for at least 24 hours (or 48 hours if you had vomiting or diarrhea).
Lab-based PCR testing

When should you take a test?

We no longer routinely recommend lab-based PCR testing for people with symptoms of COVID-19 unless clinically indicated in an assessment by your healthcare provider.

When to seek an assessment by your health care provider:

1. You’re experiencing severe symptoms such as:

  • severe difficulty breathing;
  • chest pain;
  • feelings of confusion; or fainting or loss of consciousness.

Phone 911 or go to the emergency department for assessment.

2. You are not experiencing severe symptoms mentioned above, but your symptoms are worsening or not getting better. Seek an assessment from your primary care provider, your rural community health centre or local emergency room.

3. You have symptoms of COVID-19 and pre-existing condition(s) that may be worsened by a COVID-19 infection, and/or you are not fully vaccinated.  Seek an assessment from a health care provider quickly to see if there’s a treatment that may help you, such as Paxlovid. You can:

  • see your primary care provider in Whitehorse;
  • see the nurse in your local health centre in rural Yukon;
  • speak to a nurse at 811; or
  • seek care at your local emergency department.

You must take Paxlovid within the first 5 days that your symptoms start. You can only receive the drug after you’ve had a test that confirms you have COVID-19.

If you have symptoms of COVID-19 you may want to find out if you're eligible for Paxlovid treatment. It's important you see a healthcare provider soon after your symptoms start.

Stay home until you feel better

If you have symptoms of COVID-19, but do not need a health care provider to assess you, a lab-based PCR testing is no longer routinely recommended. You may still choose to take an at-home rapid test.Whether or not you choose to take at at-home rapid test, we recommend you stay home until you feel better.

What does feeling better mean?

  • Your fever has been gone for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications. This includes all medications that decrease symptoms including Tylenol or ibuprofen.
  • It has been at least 48 hours since your last episode of vomiting or diarrhea.
  • Other symptoms feel like they have noticeably improved, and none of your symptoms are getting worse.

You do not have to stay home until all symptoms are completely gone. After a viral infection, you may have symptoms that linger, such as a cough. If you have lingering symptoms it does not mean you need to stay home until they completely go away.

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Date modified: 2022-12-23