Timmins hospital dealing with high numbers of people with respiratory illnesses
The Timmins and District Hospital's assessment clinic has been busy seeing people with respiratory illnesses.
“We’re seeing in the community for sure higher volume of kids and adults with respiratory type illnesses," said Doctor Chris Clark, medical lead for the Timmins and District Hospital's Assessment Clinic.
"The other thing that’s going on is limited access to medications for parents to treat kids with Advil or Tylenol in the community, some antibiotics are short in the community so it’s just a bit of a perfect storm."
The assessment clinic is located across the road from the hospital at 651 Ross Ave. East and is open seven days a week. A physician is on-site in the mornings.
Anyone over the age of two, especially those with a family physician, can book a test at the clinic.
“We can swab here for strep throat, for RSV, for influenza, for COVID,” said Clark.
“And we also want people to come here to seek treatment for COVID if they’re at high risk whether they're compromised or unvaccinated or have significant co-existing disease.”
The assessment clinic has seen 74 people since testing began on Nov. 21. Officials said people can avoid long waits in the emergency room by making an appointment at the clinic.
“Our volumes are up 20, 25 to 30 per cent over where we were pre-COVID and probably there’s a quarter of all the presentations of people coming in with respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throats," said Jodie Russell, manager of infection prevention and control for Timmins and District Hospital.
“So that's atypical for us at this time of year.”
While Russell and Clark want people to get help as quickly as possible, the Porcupine Health Unit is promoting prevention.
"So really recommending indoor mask use, so when you're in a large crowd or gathering, to wear a mask, especially around children and people that are more vulnerable," said Lynn Leggett, manager of infectious diseases and clinical services.
Leggett said the health unit has also added more flu vaccine clinics at its Pine Street office location.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.