Chatham-Kent Health Alliance officials say 165 swabs were conducted on the first day of the mobile COVID-19 testing in Wallaceburg on Thursday, June 11, 2020.
“We’re onto day two of our Wallaceburg drive-thru COVID-19 testing clinics,” CKHA officials tweeted.
“Thanks to Chatham-Kent EMS and CK Public Health for your partnership in this initiative.”
We’ve had a busy week here at CKHA.
Lori Marshall, President and CEO, provides a mid-day update on our Wallaceburg drive-thru COVID-19 testing, our latest visiting policy and homemade masks.#ckont #ckha pic.twitter.com/K1T8FaQ1BG
— Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (@ckhamedia) June 11, 2020
@GMMacLellan & I are both smiling under our masks. Day 1 drive-thru swabbing at Wallaceburg Site of CKHA & already more that 50 swabs by noon. Great partnership @CKEMS_CP @ckhamedia @CKPublicHealth @MonteMcNaughton @celliottability pic.twitter.com/TFzmn16eCy
— Lori Marshall (@LoriBMarshall) June 11, 2020
Hospital officials say the initiative continues on Friday, June 12 and Saturday, June 13 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for anyone who believes they require a COVID-19 swab test. People can go to CKHA’s Wallaceburg site where the mobile drive-thru testing clinic will be in operation.
The testing initiative is also be available to residents who do not arrive in a vehicle.
CKHA officials say Wallaceburg’s COVID-19 mobile drive-thru testing clinic is operating as follows:
– The clinic is taking place in the front parking lot of CKHA’s Wallaceburg Site located at 325 Margaret Avenue. To streamline traffic flow, patients are asked to enter the drive-thru testing clinic off of Thomas Avenue. Signage will direct patients upon arrival for both those who arrive in vehicles and those who do not.
– A staff member will register you while you are in your car. Please bring a valid Ontario health card.
– The health care team will perform the COVID-19 swab test while you are in your car; please remain in your car after you register to receive a test.
– If a high demand for testing is experienced during this week’s clinics, additional testing days will take place. The public will be notified of any future COVID-19 testing clinics.
– Please note, a severe heat warning is in effect for Chatham-Kent on Wednesday, June 10. With the clinic days following this inclement weather, out of precaution, please do not bring children and frail adults in cars who are not being tested, as well as pets.
“I’m pleased that through highly collaborative relationships with our health system partners we can continue to broaden testing in our community,” stated Lori Marshall, president and CEO of CKHA, in a media release.
“This mobile drive-thru clinic will ensure more residents in the Wallaceburg area who are concerned about COVID-19 will be able to receive a test in a convenient setting.”
Donald MacLellan, General Manager for Chatham-Kent EMS, said the community paramedic program is proud to partner once again with CKHA and CK Public Health to expand testing throughout Chatham-Kent.
“Our mobile drive-thru testing in Wallaceburg this coming week will provide an effective and safe testing method for both residents and clinical staff,” MacLellan said in a press release.
Dr. David Colby, Medical Officer of Health in Chatham-Kent, said CK Public Health have been working with community partners to bring mobile COVID-19 testing to the Wallaceburg area.
“It is important for all Chatham-Kent residents to have access to testing regardless of where they live in the municipality,” Colby said in a press release.
Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development and MPP, Lambton-Kent-Middlesex, said as Ontario “carefully” re-opens the economy, testing becomes even more crucial to slowing the spread of COVID-19.
“This new testing clinic in Wallaceburg will make it easier for everyone in the community to protect their health,” McNaughton said in a media release.
“I thank the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance, Chatham-Kent Public Health and Chatham-Kent Emergency Services for stepping up.”
Anyone with questions about COVID-19 are asked to visit CK Public Health’s website at http://www.ckpublichealth.com/covid19, call CK Public Health’s COVID-19 intake line at 519.355.1071 x1900 or email covid19@chatham-kent.ca.
Visit the Government of Ontario’s website to learn more about how the province is continuing to protect Ontarians from COVID-19.
