Three COVID-19 Assessment Centres will open in the Grey Bruce region this week to help identify and triage patients with symptoms of COVID-19.

In a joint March 17 Health Services media release, the Assessment Centres will help expand hospital capacity to assess and screen patients who have symptoms of COVID-19, and free up Emergency Department resources to continue to safely manage the normal volume of patients.

Who should come to the Assessment Centre?

The Assessment Centres are for individuals with symptoms of COVID-19 who are having difficulty managing at home. Please follow these guidelines to determine if you should come.

1. If you do not have symptoms of COVID-19, please do not come to the Assessment Centre.
2. If you have mild symptoms, and you can manage at home, please stay home and self isolate. Do not come to the Assessment Centre. Information on self-isolation, as well as guidance for care givers and family members in the home, is available at ontario.ca/coronavirus.
3. If you have symptoms, and are struggling at home, come to an Assessment Centre.
4. If you are very ill, go to the nearest Emergency Department or call 911.

Assessment Centre Locations:

Grey Bruce Health Services – Owen Sound Regional Hospital
Location: Portable facility just outside the entrance to the Owen Sound Hospital Emergency Department
Opening Date: Wednesday, March 18
Hours of Operation: 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM, 7 days per week

South Bruce Grey Health Centre – Kincardine Hospital
Location: Portable facility located between hospital and medical clinic
Opening Date: Thursday, March 19
Hours of Operation: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, 7 days per week

Hanover & District Hospital
Location: Main entrance to the hospital
Opening Date: Thursday, March 19
Hours of Operation: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Monday to Friday

Appointments are not necessary. Patients will be pre-screened, and will be asked to wash their hands and put on a mask prior to entry. To reduce risk and traffic within the Centres, only those patients who require assistance will be permitted to bring a support person with them into the facilities.

Following screening at the Assessment Centres, patients will be sent home to self-isolate and monitor symptoms, unless the patient is critically ill and requires hospitalization. The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, cough, and difficulty breathing. Most patients experience mild symptoms, and recover fully without treatment within two weeks.