Windsor Regional Hospital has a message for those still walking up to COVID-19 testing centres.
Don't.
Starting Sunday, the hospital began requiring appointments for those needing tests at its Ouellette Campus and St. Clair College SportsPlex testing centres, after the Ontario government required testing to be scheduled ahead of time.
Yet, according to Steve Erwin, corporate communications manager for Windsor Regional Hospital, that word did not reach some patients on Sunday.
"We did have a number of individuals that came for walk-up appointments at our assessment centre," said Erwin. "It's understandable, it's fresh news for everybody. But we really need the community to understand that if you're going to come for a COVID-19 assessment centre test, you need to book online."
Erwin said the two testing sites handled up to 600 patients a day during the week, and around 300 a day on weekends. With the centres now being booked all day, Erwin said the hospital's priority is to make sure those who need testing the most actually get it.
"Our main concern is that people come to the assessment centres for tests, and we're booked throughout the day," said Erwin. "We don't want to have to turn people away, particularly if they are symptomatic."
The Ministry of Health made the change after an increase in COVID-19 cases resulted in more people showing up at assessment centres for tests, even if they had no symptoms, which created longer waiting times and a bigger backlog of tests. The change does not apply to mobile or drive-up testing centres.
Appointments are to be booked online, or by phone. For those without internet access, appointments can be made by calling (519) 973-4443 and having their health card ready. The phone line is answered 24 hours a day. You can book an appointment for up to seven days in advance.
Complete information on who should get a COVID-19 test, and where to get a test if you're asymptomatic, is available on the hospital's official website.
---with files from Adelle Loiselle and Kirk Dickinson
