Hamilton’s COVID-19 Assessment Centres open today

HAMILTON, ON – Primary care (including McMaster Family Health Team, Hamilton Family Health Team, Compass Community Health Centre), Hamilton Health Sciences, St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton Public Health Services and the Ontario Ministry of Health have partnered to open COVID-19 Assessment Centres. Assessment Centres will see individuals who have a referral from their doctor or Hamilton Public Health Services by appointment only, based on symptoms (cough or fever), travel history and/or exposure to known cases.

The first two COVID-19 Assessment Centres open today at:

West End Clinic
690 Main Street West

Hours of Operation
Monday to Friday 5 to 8 pm
Saturday and Sunday 9 am to 5 pm

East End Clinic
2757 King Street East

Hours of Operation
Monday to Friday 4 to 8 pm
Saturday and Sunday 10 am to 4 pm

Additional COVID-19 Assessment Centres may open later as needed.

These centres will assess patients and test for COVID-19, as appropriate. Patients will also receive direction regarding how to treat their symptoms and next steps in their care. Individuals should bring their Ontario health card and a list of current medications to the Assessment Centre.

To protect the safety of patients and staff, visitors will not be able to accompany others to the Assessment Centres. Exceptions will be made for an adult accompanying a child who is a patient, a frail older person, a person with a disability or anyone acting as an interpreter. Patients will be required to wear the provided masks and use hand sanitizer prior to entering the Assessment Centres. Additional information about Assessment Centres is available at www.hamilton.ca/covid19assessment

Before going to an Assessment Centre, individuals should take the following steps:

1. Complete a self-assessment at https://www.ontario.ca/coronavirus to determine if it is necessary to contact Public Health, their doctor or Telehealth Ontario for more guidance.

2. If the assessment indicates that clinical assessment is necessary, individuals can contact the health care professionals listed below for further guidance:

• Their family doctor
• Hamilton Public Health Services COVID-19 Hotline at 905-974-9848
• Telehealth Ontario at 1 866-797-0000

3. Individuals will be referred and booked to visit an Assessment Centre by one of the above health care professionals.

Additional Resources

• For regular City of Hamilton COVID-19 updates, please visit www.hamilton.ca/coronavirus
• Hamilton Public Health Services’ COVID-19 Hotline at 905-974-9848 or [email protected]
• Visit Ontario's website to learn more about how the province continues to protect Ontarians from COVID-19

“The opening of these two COVID-19 Assessment Centres will further help to contain the spread of infection in our community, while reducing the pressure on an already over-burdened health care system. The Assessment Centres are the result of close collaboration and partnerships between Primary care, Hamilton Health Sciences, St. Joesph’s Healthcare Hamilton, Public Health Services and the Ontario Ministry of Health. It’s truly a collective response to safeguard and support the health and wellbeing of people in our community.” - Dr. Elizabeth Richardson, Medical Officer of Health, City of Hamilton

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Jen Recine
Communications
City of Hamilton
905-546-2424 ext. 4970
Cell: 905-973-0592
[email protected]

Lillian Badzioch
Communications & Public Affairs
Hamilton Health Sciences
905-521-2100
Cell: 905-730-1836
[email protected]

Agnes Bongers
Director, Public Affairs
St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton
905-522-1155 ext. 33549
Cell: 905-870-4991
[email protected]

Maria Hayes
Public Affairs
St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton
905-522-1155 ext. 33506
Cell: 905-975-2740
[email protected]