The Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance’s COVID-19 Assessment Centre is no longer
offering appointments on Saturdays effective immediately. (Photo courtesy of Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance)The Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance’s COVID-19 Assessment Centre is no longer offering appointments on Saturdays effective immediately. (Photo courtesy of Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance)
Midwestern

HPHA reducing COVID-19 Assessment Centre hours

The Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance is slightly reducing hours at one of their COVID-19 Assessment Centres.

As of May 8th, HPHA's COVID-19 Assessment Centre at the Rotary Complex in Stratford will no longer operate on Saturdays, and the hours will reduce on Monday to Friday immediately. The centre will now operate Monday to Friday from 9:15 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. The HPHA says in their release that this is due to lower volumes of individuals seeking tests.

The release also states that if you are a Huron/Perth resident and are concerned you have COVID-19 or have been exposed to it,  you are "encouraged to continue to use the Virtual Assessment Model that has been created which involves completing the province’s online assessment at https://covid-19.ontario.ca/self-assessment/." You can then call your family doctor to set up a test, and those without family doctors can call Huron Perth Public Health at 1-888-221-2133 ext. 3267.

The release offers further information regarding testing which is as follows:

You can also get tested at Assessment Centres if you are not showing symptoms and:

-Your public health unit or the COVID Alert app notifies you that you have been exposed to a confirmed case of the virus. -You live or work in a setting that has a COVID-19 outbreak, as identified by your local public health unit. -You belong to a specific group outlined in guidance from the Chief Medical Officer of Health, such as workers or visitors of long term-care homes, farm workers, etc. Please refer to the Ontario Government’s website for the latest groups being targeted.

Booking your COVID-19 Test

If you are referred to HPHA’s Assessment Centre, the following helpful tips are recommended: -Use the online booking tool to book your appointment. It’s quick, easy to use, and means you won’t have to wait on hold to speak to someone. This link is also available on HPHA’s website at www.hpha.ca -If you don’t have access to a smartphone or computer, appointments may also be requested by phone at 519-272-8210 ext. 2747. -Please don’t duplicate your booking efforts. There is no need to call if you’ve already completed an online booking and vice versa. Duplication can slow down assessment centre staff in responding to calls and booking appointments. -Please remember that appointments are required. We cannot accommodate walk-ins. -If your plans change, please reschedule or cancel your appointment so that other people can get tested

-If you are very ill and in need of immediate care, you should go to your nearest Emergency Department or call 9-1-1.

Things to know when attending a booked appointment at the HPHA COVID-19 Assessment Centre:

-Enter the Stratford Rotary Complex at the Community Hall Entrance and follow the signs to Hall D where the Assessment Centre is located. -Please follow all precautions including wearing a mask, physical distancing and frequent hand hygiene. Please note, once you enter the Assessment Centre, you will be asked to remove your personal mask and will be provided with and must wear a disposable medical grade mask. -The time of your appointment is the time you should arrive at the Assessment Centre. Your test should be completed within approximately 15 minutes of your scheduled arrival time.

For more COVID-19 updates and information, follow the Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance on Twitter or Facebook, or visit our website at http://www.hpha.ca.

 

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