The Grey Bruce Health Unit says it’s working with local hospitals to increase testing capacity at area COVID-19 Assessment Centres.
Medical officer of health Dr Ian Arra says “The physicians, nursing staff, and admin staff at the assessment centres are burning the candle at both ends to ensure children and patients are not waiting.”
Arra says in the past 14 days, 2000 tests have been done in Owen Sound.
Local COVID-19 Assessment Centres are located at the hospitals in Owen Sound Hanover and Kincardine.
The Owen Sound site is extending its hours to be open this weekend 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The South Bruce Grey Health Centre (SBGHC) has extended the hours of the COVID-19 Assessment Centre at the Kincardine hospital by two hours each day to 10 a.m.to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday, and will begin operating on Saturdays beginning October 10th.
The Hanover and District Hospital’s Assessment Centre hours have increased by 50 per cent from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday. Walk-in patients in Hanover continue to be seen alongside booked appointments. They’re working to recruit nursing and registration staff to address current volumes and look at the expansion to weekend hours.
Meanwhile, Public Health says the community can support Assessment Centres by ensuring those who have never had symptoms don’t show up for testing unless they’re told to by Public Health or a healthcare provider.
If you are unsure of whether to visit an assessment centre, complete the provincial online COVID-19 self-assessment tool to evaluate your symptoms.
Anyone unable to attend a scheduled appointment is asked to immediately notify the Assessment Centre and cancel their booking.
