COVID-19 ASSESSMENT CENTRES OPEN IN MUSKOKA TODAY
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com
BRACEBRIDGE — Sarah Reynolds was “a little nervous” as one of the first few people to go in for testing at one of the two new Muskoka COVID-19 assessment centres that opened here today in Muskoka.
The Baysville resident and health-care worker said she had a bit of “cold” and just wanted to get checked.
She booked her 12:30 p.m. appointment through the Simcoe-Muskoka District Health Unit, one of the sponsors of the assessment centre at the Rotary Youth Centre in Bracebridge.
The other one is in a building on the Huntsville hospital grounds.
Reynolds said she had “no trouble” arranging the by-appointment-only pre-screening call through the health unit.
She was one of four or five who were seen at the Bracebridge site on the first morning the centres opened.
They are closed to the public, with no walk-ins allowed.
A security guard was outside at the heavily-signed door.
And a health-care worker — wearing a blue mask, clear face shield, rubber gloves and long yellow gown opened the door to greet those going in to be assessed.
Reynolds’ mother, who drove her to the site, waited patiently in her car while the security guard came out to the parking lot to advise her that it was time for her appointment inside.
Sarah Reynolds stops to talk to MuskokaTODAY.com before going in for her appointment earlier this afternoon.
Janine van den Heuvel, a spokesperson for the seven local government agencies — including hospitals, doctors and the health unit — co-ordinating the week-day clinics, said the early hours went well April 1.
The numbers at both centres weren’t large in the morning, less than a half-dozen each.
She said “appointment times will vary and are reflective of patient needs and clinicians.
“Generally, they may be 15 to 30 minutes.”
Dr. Melanie Mar, co-ordinator at the Huntsville assessment centre, told MuskokaTODAY.com in a phone call this afternoon that they are interviewing everyone who attends with an appointment.
She said the actual assessment, including further questions about possible symptoms, could lead to a nasal swabbing to be forwarded for further testing to confirm if the person has the coronavirus.
Otherwise they would be sent home to self-isolate.
Mar said the assessment centre, which has a few bookings this morning, was following mandatory provincial guidelines and recommendations, which include priority testing for essential workers, health-care workers, those in institutional settings and Indigenous people.
She did say everyone referred to the assessment centres — who is “unwell” and shows signs of COVID-19 — could receive a swab if necessary.
That includes the public, she said.
She said “anyone who is sick will be seen.”
Mar said the staffing component at each centre involves two nurses, a doctor or nurse practitioner and an administrative person.
She said they want to “limit the exposure” for the health-care workers and patients.
For yesterday’s MuskokaTODAY.com related story on the assessment centres, click here.
Those with appointments today were met at the door in Bracebridge by a health-care worker who was masked, shielded, gowned and gloved.
HOW TO BE REFERRED:
If you are experiencing symptoms — fever, new or worsening cough, or shortness of breath — you must first seek guidance from your doctor or nurse practitioner on whether it is appropriate for you to attend the assessment centre.
If you require an appointment at the Assessment Centre, it will be made by their office.
If you do not have a doctor or nurse practitioner:
- Call Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-767-0000 or access the Ministry of Health Self Assessment Tool.
- After following these steps, if you have been advised to attend an assessment centre in Muskoka, you must book an appointment by calling 1-888-383-7009.
The centres in Muskoka are not open for walk-in visits.
Muskoka locations:
- Building B, 100 Frank Miller Dr., Huntsville, ON P1H 1H7
- Rotary Centre for Youth Bracebridge, 131 Wellington St., Bracebridge, ON P1L 1E2
At the assessment centre:
- You will be seen by a healthcare professional who will provide you with the necessary care instructions, if required.
- Not everyone who attends the centre will be tested. Healthcare professionals will test for COVID-19 based on the most up to date guidelines from the Ministry of Health and the healthcare professional’s assessment of the individual. Testing is not available to all patients on request.
You will be seen by a healthcare professional who will provide you with the necessary care instructions, if required.
Not everyone who attends the centre will be tested.
Healthcare professionals will test for COVID-19 based on the most up to date guidelines from the Ministry of Health and the healthcare professional’s assessment of the individual.
Testing is not available to all patients on request.
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