Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (CKHA) will open an after-hours Paediatric Assessment COVID-19 Centre (PACC) intended for medical COVID-19 assessments of children 17 years of age and under within its Ambulatory Care unit at the Chatham Site.
The clinic will officially open on Tuesday, September 21, 2021 and will operate 7 days a week.
The operating hours are as follows:
– Monday to Friday, 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.
– Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
The goal of the clinic is to handle expected growth in children and youth requiring medical attention for COVID-19 related symptoms.
The aim of the clinic is to focus on this demographic and divert patients from the Emergency Department to help reduce wait times for all demographics.
This clinic is intended for mild symptoms; in the event of child and youth emergencies, please do not hesitate to call 911 or attend the nearest Emergency Department.
“With the fourth wave of the pandemic upon us, and the spread of the highly contagious Delta variant, an uptick in paediatric cases is being seen locally and in other jurisdictions across the province,” said Lori Marshall, President and CEO, CKHA, in a media release.
“Along with the return to in-person learning at schools, there is potential for continued growth in child and youth cases. This is a proactive step we are taking to ensure this population receives timely medical attention while diverting pressure from our existing Emergency Departments.”
The PACC will offer COVID-19 testing and medical assessment by a nurse, nurse practitioner or physician based on potential COVID-19 symptoms.
Please note, this clinic will not be offering COVID-19 vaccinations.
Appointments must be booked before attending the PACC.
Patients and families should visit www.assessmentbooking.ca to book an appointment (please select “Paediatric Assessment COVID-19 Centre” in the booking tool).
Appointments can also be made by phone by calling 519.436.2556; the phone booking line will be answered between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday.
Patients/families are advised to have their health card ready when booking.
Patients and families attending the PACC are advised to park in Lot A or the Pegley Lot at CKHA’s Chatham Site and enter through the Ambulatory Care doors facing Louise Street.
Possible COVID-19 symptoms can include (https://www.ontario.ca/page/covid-19-stop-spread):
– Fever or chills
– Nasal congestion or runny nose
– Cough
– Sore throat
– Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
– Fatigue
– Headache
– Muscle aches or body aches
– Nausea or vomiting
– Diarrhea
– Poor feeding or poor appetite
– New loss of taste or smell
– Belly pain
The Chatham-Kent COVID-19 Assessment Centre remains open at the 10 Grand Avenue plaza in Chatham 7 days per week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Please visit www.assessmentbooking.ca for more information.
