A local hospital is ready to provide specialized care for residents who may have contracted measles.
Erie Shores Healthcare (ESHC) announced Tuesday that it has opened a measles assessment clinic at its Leamington hospital.
The clinic will operate every day from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. It is set up in a mobile unit and staffed by nurses ready to assess patients needing hospital-level care while keeping the risk of spreading measles to a minimum.
"By opening this dedicated measles clinic, we're able to better serve individuals with measles symptoms and reduce the risk of exposure to others visiting our hospital, particularly in the emergency department," said ESHC President and CEO Kristin Kennedy.
If you have symptoms and believe you need care at the hospital, call ahead to the clinic when possible at (519) 326-2373, ext. 4400, to allow staff to prepare for your visit.
The hospital has also asked that if you know you've been exposed or have mild symptoms, and do not need hospital-level care, there is no need to visit the clinic. Instead, self-isolate and contact your primary healthcare provider or the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit for guidance.
ESHC will also continue active measles screening at hospital entrances every day from noon to 8 p.m.