Walk-up testing at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance COVID-19 assessment centre is ending.
Last week, the centre started offering extra swab testing at its Chatham hospital site because of higher demand for testing and a jump in positive cases in the community but that ends on Tuesday afternoon.
CKHA said the additional testing will be for walk-in patients and will be done outdoors on the west side of the building at 47 Emma Street facing Ursuline Avenue.
"It is strongly encouraged to book an appointment but in order to accommodate individuals without an appointment, walk-ins are available," said CKHA in a news release Wednesday morning. "Due to increases in volume, waiting times will vary. We are asking for the community to be patient as we meet this demand."
Chatham-Kent EMS will be helping with the testing.
Patients are asked to be dropped off outside of the building to manage traffic flow. Those without mobility issues are being asked to use parking lots C, D, and Pegley Lot whenever possible. Free parking is still available at the 47 Emma parking lot. There is also municipal parking available on and around the property.
The assessment centre accepts patient self-referrals from anyone who suspects they are displaying symptoms of the coronavirus or who may have been in contact or exposed to a known COVID-19 positive case. CKHA continues to encourage the community to book an appointment at www.assessmentbooking.ca.
A valid "green" Ontario health card is required to get tested and an email address must be given to confirm the appointment's date and time. Patients who have a "red and white" Ontario health card, or those who do not have access to technology, can book an appointment by calling 519-352-6400 ext. 6548 weekdays between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Patients can also call 519-352-6400 ext. 6584 after hours and on weekends.
Patients who arrive as a walk-in will be seen at the earliest convenience by the health care team and may be asked to return the next day or book an appointment if all time slots are filled. Health cards must be brought to the appointment to help the health care team properly identify patients. Patients are also asked to bring a list of medications and any other information about allergies and past medical issues. The last patient will be allowed in at 4:20 p.m. and those arriving after 4:20 p.m. are being asked not to go to the emergency department. Instead, they should return for a test the following morning.
More drive-thru testing clinics were also recently announced for Wheatley and Dresden.
Anyone with questions about COVID-19 can visit CK Public Health's website at http://www.ckpublichealth.com/covid19, call CK Public Health's COVID-19 intake line at 519-355-1071 ext. 1900 or email covid19@chatham-kent.ca.
