Only Symptomatic Residents Are Encouraged To Get Tested For COVID-19

Wednesday, 23 September 2020 09:07

Medical Officer of Health Dr. Joyce Lock says you should only book appointments if you're showing symptoms of COVID-19. There are three locations available throughout the week, including the Woodstock Hospital Assessment Centre.

Medical Officer of Health for Southwestern Public Health Dr. Joyce Lock has issued a statement for residents in Oxford County, Elgin County, and the City of St. Thomas.

“We ask that residents book appointments for testing only if they have a symptom (s) of COVID19, or if they have been instructed by public health or a health care provider to get tested. The return to school and the recent increase in cases across the region has led a lot of people to seek testing. We need to prioritize so that those who need testing the most are tested in a timely manner. Please leave our local Emergency Departments for emergencies. Do not go to the Emergency Department with no symptoms or mild symptoms to get a COVID-19 test. If you have symptoms and require a test, please call and book an appointment. Of course, if you have difficulty breathing or are seriously ill, please call 911 or visit your local Emergency Department. Finally, if you are a close contact of a positive case, public health will call you and you will get specific direction to book a test. If you are concerned that you have been in close contact with a probable case of COVID-19 but have not been contacted by public health, please monitor yourself for symptoms. If symptoms develop, please seek testing by calling one of the region’s Assessment and Testing Centres and booking an appointment.”

There are three locations you can go to get tested. Patients must call and book an appointment.

Woodstock Hospital Assessment Centre - Phone: 1-855-905-6148 Open seven days/week 10:00a.m. - 8:00p.m.

Tillsonburg District Memorial Hospital Assessment Centre - Phone: 1-855-905-6148. Open Monday to Friday 8:00a.m. - 4:00p.m.

St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital COVID-19 Assessment Centre - Phone: 519-631-2030 ext. 6210 Open 7 days/week 8:00 a.m. – 6:00p.m