NEWS RELEASE
WELLINGTON-DUFFERIN-GUELPH PUBLIC HEALTH
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The Mount Forest COVID-19 Assessment Clinic will open on Tuesday, April 21, at the Mount Forest Sportsplex (850 Princess Street, Mount Forest). The clinic will operate from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. from Tuesday to Saturday (Please note, the clinic will close daily from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.). Individuals who visit the assessment clinic will be seen by a clinician who will provide further instruction. Masks and hand sanitizer will be provided for patients upon arrival.
With the updated provincial testing guidelines, the assessment capacity and scope in our region is expanding to include residents and workers within congregate living settings and institutions; individuals in the same household as health care workers and first responders; essential workers; and other priority populations (including individuals with frequent contact with the health care system).
For the general public, testing is not currently recommended for asymptomatic individuals. WDG Public Health has guidance for when an individual experiencing symptoms should visit an assessment clinic on our website.
For severe symptoms, individuals should visit their nearest emergency room or call 911 immediately.
“The collaborative approach within our region to expand testing for COVID-19 is key to tackling the virus and keeping residents of Wellington, Dufferin and Guelph safe,” said Dr. Nicola Mercer, Medical Officer of Health. “It is important for all symptomatic people to get tested. While a referral from a health care provider helps manage assessment clinic resources, it is not required for testing.”
“Collaboration between providers across the system is a hallmark of how we serve our communities in rural Wellington. Mount Forest Family Health Team is working with several partners to provide the assessment centre as a service,” commented Suzanne Trivers, Executive Director. “We hope that by having most people schedule appointments by calling 519-323-0255 x5082, we will keep the wait times at the clinic to a minimum.”
“The Assessment Centre will provide additional support for testing of our most vulnerable and those working with the priority populations.” states Stephen Street, President and CEO, North Wellington Health Care. “The increased testing will help us to identify cases, allow our health care providers to treat and immediately isolate patients to prevent spread. Early testing also helps to identify anyone who came into contact with infected people so they too can be quickly treated.”
Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health, the Mount Forest Family Health Team and North Wellington Health Care continue to work collaboratively with community partners, other levels of government and the broader care sector to ensure our area manages the COVID-19 outbreak effectively. For more information, visit wdgpublichealth.ca/coronavirus
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