A mobile COVID-19 testing site set up in Wallaceburg. June 2020. (Photo courtesy of Lori Marshall via Twitter)A mobile COVID-19 testing site set up in Wallaceburg. June 2020. (Photo courtesy of Lori Marshall via Twitter)
Chatham

Details of CK drive-thru testing clinics revealed

The dates and times have been announced for more drive-thru swab testing in Tilbury, Blenheim, and Thamesville in July.

Anyone who believes they need a COVID-19 swab test can go to one of these clinics and receive a test. This testing initiative will also be available to residents who do not arrive in a vehicle.

Lori Marshall, the CEO of the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance, said more testing is important especially for those who need to show a negative test before visiting loved ones at long term care homes.

Drive-thru testing was recently done in Wallaceburg and Maraviantown and Marshall is calling it "a very efficient model and way of doing things." She said the numbers in Wallaceburg exceed all expectations because staff was only expecting about 60-65 people but got 436 over the course of three days in mid-June. Marshall said the assessment centre in Chatham is now seeing about 100 people a day, up from 60 about a month ago.

The dates and locations are as follows:

Tilbury Thursday, July 9 and Friday, July 10 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tilbury Arena 49 Bond Avenue, Tilbury

Blenheim Thursday, July 16 and Friday, July 17 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Blenheim Memorial Arena 199 King Street South, Blenheim

Thamesville Thursday, July 23 and Friday, July 24 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thamesville Area Public School 30 Mary Street, Thamesville

The swab testing is done in partnership with CK Public Health Unit and Chatham-Kent EMS.

The clinics will operate as follows:

  • - The clinics will take place in the parking lots of each specified venue. No appointment is needed.
  • - Signage will direct patients upon arrival for both those who arrive in vehicles and those who do not.
  • - A staff member will register you while you are in your car. Please bring a valid Ontario health card.
  • - The health care team will perform the COVID-19 swab test while you are in your car; please remain in your car after you register to receive a test.
  • - Patients will be sent home with information on self-isolation and how to view their test results online.
  • - CK Public Health will call ALL patients who are swabbed at these clinics regardless of their results.
  • - If heat warnings are in effect on clinic days, out of precaution, please do not bring children and frail adults in cars who are not being tested, as well as pets.
COVID-19 clinics will also take place in Wheatley and Dresden but details have not yet been released.

Anyone with questions about COVID-19 is advised to visit CK Public Health's website at http://www.ckpublichealth.com/covid19, call CK Public Health's COVID-19 intake line at 519.355.1071 x1900 or email covid19@chatham-kent.ca.

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