SUDBURY -- An enhanced COVID-19 assessment centre is set to open Wednesday, March 18 in Sault Ste. Marie.
The assessment centre will open in the former Kal Tire location at 165 Drive In Road, near the Sault Area Hospital.
The operation is a partnership between Sault Area Hospital, Algoma Public Health, and the Group Health Centre.
In a news release, health officials say "the clinic’s purpose is to assess and, only where appropriate, swab people who may have been exposed to COVID-19 with a goal of minimizing the significant number of patients presenting themselves to the emergency department at SAH."
Officials say this COVID-19 assessment centre is by appointment only and that "walk-in" appointments are strictly prohibited.
Individuals in the Algoma region experiencing symptoms are encouraged to call the COVID-19 Assessment Centre at 705-759-3434 ext. 7152 between the hours of 8 a.m. – 8 p.m., 7 days per week.The patient must give basic information and will be assessed based on the COVID-19 Assessment Centre’s guidelines established by Ontario Health.
The current criteria for assessment:
Symptoms
Fever (over 38 degrees Celsius) and/or onset of (or exacerbation of chronic) cough AND any of the following with 14 days prior to onset of illness:
- Travel outside of Canada
- Had close interactions with a confirmed or probable case of COVID-19
- Had close interactions with someone who has symptoms of COVID-19 who recently travelled outside of Canada or to an impacted area within Canada
