March 15, 2020

COVID-19 SCREENING MAY BE COMING TO MUSKOKA THIS WEEK

MUSKOKA — As local hospitals screen visitors and patients, two new special COVID-19 screening centres could open this week in Bracebridge and Huntsville.

Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare (MAHC) officials are seeking the go-ahead from the province.

They are co-ordinating the sites in co-ordination with the Family Health Teams, according to Terry Shields, MAHC’s acting CEO.

They would likely be located on the Huntsville Memorial Hospital grounds and a separate site in Bracebridge due to lack of room at South Muskoka Memorial Hospital, says a report.

Meanwhile, MAHC says on its website: “Your hospitals remain vigilant in surveillance and monitoring of novel coronavirus COVID-19.

They say expect active screening of everyone at the entrances.

This includes questions about flu-like symptoms, like fever, cough and shortness of breath, and travel within the past two weeks.

They ask that people “be patient as we take this precautionary measure to protect us all.”

They advise that if you think you have COVID-19, before you come to hospital, “please be screened by Telehealth by calling 1-866-797-0000.”

“We assure our communities the hospitals are following all guidelines from the Ministry of Health and local health unit, including screening and testing criteria.”

For more information about COVID-19 testing criteria, please see ‘Testing’ on the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit website.