The Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (CKHA) has launched a COVID-19 assessment centre for youth 17 and under.
Hospital officials said the after-hours assessment centre will operate seven days a week at the Chatham site starting Tuesday, September 21, 2021. The clinic is open Monday to Friday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.
CKHA said the goal of the clinic is to handle the expected growth in children and youth needing medical attention for COVID-19-related symptoms. Hospital President and CEO Lori Marshall said the clinic will focus on this demographic to divert patients from the Emergency Department and help reduce wait times.
“With the fourth wave of the pandemic upon us, and the spread of the highly contagious Delta variant, an uptick in paediatric cases is being seen locally and in other jurisdictions across the province,” said Marshall. “Along with the return to in-person learning at schools, there is potential for continued growth in child and youth cases. This is a proactive step we are taking to ensure this population receives timely medical attention while diverting pressure from our existing Emergency Departments.”
Marshall said the clinic is intended for mild symptoms and people should not hesitate to call 911 or attend the nearest Emergency Department if they have child and youth emergencies.
Appointments must be booked before attending the assessment centre by visiting www.assessmentbooking.ca. Appointments can also be made by calling 519-436-2556 Monday to Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. A health card number must be given when booking.
Patients and families attending the clinic can park in Lot A or the Pegley Lot and enter through the Ambulatory Care doors facing Louise Street.
The regular Chatham-Kent COVID-19 Assessment Centre remains open at the 10 Grand Avenue plaza in Chatham seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.