Due to a recent change in provincial criteria, the Grey Bruce Health Unit (GBHU) is expanding the eligibility criteria for COVID-19 testing beyond the provincial recommendations, making testing a priority for older adults, vulnerable and high-risk populations.
In an April 14 GBHU media release, on-site testing will be conducted for residents and staff of long-term care, assisted living and retirement homes.
With the approval of First Nations chiefs and collaboration with their staff, on reserve healthcare facilities will also provide testing to anyone living on First Nations reserves with any new or worsening respiratory symptoms.
In conjunction with our community partners, testing will be provided to those with any new or worsening respiratory symptoms living in communal settings such as women’s shelters, group homes and residential facilities.
For the general public testing is available to those:
• Who have the following medical conditions, and any new or worsening respiratory symptoms
- Heart disease
- Lung disease
- Kidney disease
- Diabetes
- Immunocompromised, including HIV, autoimmune diseases, and those taking immunomodulating medications
- Transplant recipients or donors
- Those who are on dialysis
- Those who have cancer;
• Who live in communal or shared settings such as shelters, group homes, etc., and who have any new or worsening respiratory symptoms
• First responders (paramedics, fire and police) with any new or worsening respiratory symptoms
• Healthcare workers with any new or worsening respiratory symptoms, regardless of work setting. This includes:
- Home care workers or others caregivers who go into the home
- Staff and volunteers in hospitals, long-term care and retirement homes who do not have direct contact with residents
Travel history is no longer relevant to the decision to test.
Those listed above will be able to get swabbed at any of the assessment centres in Grey Bruce:
Grey Bruce Health Services – Owen Sound Regional Hospital
Location: Portable facility just outside the entrance to the Owen Sound Hospital Emergency Department
Hours of Operation: 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM, 7 days per week
South Bruce Grey Health Centre – Kincardine Hospital
Location: Portable facility located between hospital and medical clinic Opening Date:
Hours of Operation: 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM, 7 days per week
Hanover & District Hospital
Location: Main entrance to the hospital
Hours of Operation: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM, 7 days a week
Patients who meet the requirements to be swabbed will be referred to Hanover & District Hospital’s Respiratory Clinic which is open 12:30 PM to 4:30 PM, 7 days a week, to have the swab completed there.
Some primary care providers also conducting testing; individuals should contact their primary health care provider to inquire if they require testing and where to access a test.