The new North Grenville COVID-19 Assessment Centre did around 400 tests today.
Clinical Lead, Doctor Suzanne Rutherford says after 400 tests on the first day, she expects it’s going to grow from there as things were run really efficiently. Rutherford says they’re thinking they will be able to do bigger numbers each day.
Before 1pm today, the assessment centre had reached that 400 registration mark, Rutherford said they had to stop taking registrations to make sure there weren’t any problems later in the day. Rutherford adds they can accommodate up to 60 to 70 people per hour.
People are given time-stamped tickets for when they can return to get tested. They are asking that anyone who wants the test should be in the vehicle at the time when they get their ticket. Rutherford says ideally people with kids looking to get tested should have the kids with them in case the time window they are given has already started and they can proceed to the assessment centre for their tests.
Rutherford says the centre is not just for North Grenville residents as Ontario Health does not allow them to specify according to location.
Rutherford adds Ontario Public Health is now recommending that asymptomatic patients who do not have close contact with a COVID positive case, should not be seeking treatment at an assessment centre.
“So that will be new, in that if you have no symptoms and no contact case, that you will not be getting a test here. You are to be redirected to the pharmacy, who will be doing the testing.”
Rutherford says the team at the centre was amazing today and the public was grateful and appreciative of the care.
Kemptville District Hospital CEO Frank Vassallo says this is a community led initiative with the hospital, primary care community and municipality supporting, in the use of the Bell Hall. He says he is very proud of Doctor Rutherford after they really only had three business days to get this designed and implemented.
Bell Hall is located on the Kemptville Campus.