Chatham-Kent Health Alliance’s (CKHA) COVID-19 Assessment Centre, located at 47 Emma Street in Chatham, is accepting patient self-referrals from anyone who suspects they are displaying symptoms of the virus or who have been in contact or exposed to a known COVID-19 positive case.
Hospital officials say as part of Ontario’s plan to further increase testing across the province, CKHA’s Assessment Centre will now provide swabbing for all patients who self-refer to the centre and are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19.
CKHA officials are asking people to go to the assessment centre if they have at least one of the symptoms below:
Common symptoms of COVID-19 include:
– Fever (temperature of 37.8 C or greater)
– New or worsening cough
– Shortness of breath (dyspnea)
Other symptoms of COVID-19 can include:
– Sore throat
– Difficulty swallowing
– New olfactory or tastes disorder(s)
– Nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain
– Runny nose or nasal congestion – in absence of underlying reason for these symptoms such as seasonal allergies, post nasal drip, etc.
Other signs of COVID-19 can include:
– Clinical or radiological evidence of pneumonia
Atypical symptoms of COVID-19 should be considered, particularly in children, older persons, and people living with a developmental disability. Atypical symptoms can include:
– Unexplained fatigue/malaise/myalgias (muscle aches)
– Delirium (acutely altered mental status and inattention)
– Unexplained or increased number of falls
– Acute functional decline
– Exacerbation of chronic conditions
– Chills
– Headaches
– Croup
– Conjunctivitis (pink eye)
– Multisystem inflammatory vasculitis in children
Atypical signs can include:
– Unexplained tachycardia, including age specific tachycardia for children
– Decrease in blood pressure
– Unexplained hypoxia (inclusive of mild hypoxia)
– Lethargy, difficulty feeding in infants (if no other diagnosis)
Hospital officials say the symptom list is referenced from “Ontario Ministry of Health COVID-19 Reference Document for Symptoms, Version 4.0, May 14, 2020.”
Individuals who are unsure if they have symptoms related to COVID-19 are advised to call their primary care provider, CK Public Health or Telehealth Ontario, hospital officials say.
“They will discuss your symptoms and travel history and can advise if you should attend the assessment centre,” hospital officials said in a media release.
A self-assessment for COVID-19 provided by the Ministry of Health can also be completed online at: www.ontario.ca/page/2019-novel-coronavirus.
To book an appointment, visit CKHA’s booking tool at www.assessmentbooking.ca and complete the online form.
“Before booking an appointment, please make sure you have a valid “green” Ontario health card,” hospital officials say.
“Please provide an email address while filling out the online form to confirm your appointment date and time. Patients who have a “red and white” Ontario health card, or those who do not have access to technology, can book an appointment by calling CKHA’s Registration at 519-352-6400 ext. 6548 between the hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday. After hours and on weekends, patients can call CKHA’s Switchboard at 519.352.6400 ext. 6584.”
Reminders for patients attending the COVID-19 Assessment Centre:
– Patients are advised to book an appointment rather than walk-in to the assessment centre. Patients who arrive as a walk-in will be seen at the earliest convenience by the health care team and may be asked to return the next day or book an appointment if all time slots are filled.
– When attending the assessment centre, please bring your health card with you. This helps the health care team properly identify you.
– Please bring a list of medications and any other information regarding allergies and past medical issues.
– Hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. AND the last patient will be seen at 4:20 p.m.
– If you arrive after 4:20 p.m., please do NOT present to the Emergency Department. Return home to self-isolate and come back to the assessment centre in the morning.
– CKHA’s COVID-19 Assessment Centre is located at 47 Emma Street, next to the Chatham Site. Please park in the lot adjacent to the building. Free parking is available during hours of operation.
