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Faced with a growing shortage of testing kits, Ontario will begin limiting who gets tested for COVID-19, the province’s associate Medical Officer of Health Dr. Barbara Yaffe confirmed Friday.

The news comes as public health officials are being inundated with calls from people who are concerned they may have become infected with the novel coronavirus disease that was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization earlier this week.

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Yaffe confirmed that a memo went out to health officials late Thursday outlining a change in protocol for COVID-19 testing.

Until now, all people presenting with symptoms and a relevant travel history were eligible to be tested for COVID-19. But as cases grow, Yaffe said that testing will become more strategic, similar to the way testing is done for seasonal influenza.

She said the shortage of testing kits is not “dire” and alternatives are being explored. The swabs used in the testing kits are, according to one public health official, made in Italy, which has been on lockdown due to novel coronavirus.

Assessment centres, such as the one opened in Brewer arena Friday, will continue to see patients with travel histories and symptoms, she said, but not everyone will be tested.

In addition, the province is creating a self-assessment tool, which will allow patients with mild symptoms to assess whether they likely have COVID-19 and to self-isolate.

“I understand not everybody will feel comfortable doing that,” said Yaffe.