GUELPH – To help area residents access care and to ease pressure on the emergency department at Guelph General Hospital, the Guelph COVID-19 Assessment Centre will expand its scope to support assessment and treatment of patients with cold and flu symptoms.
These changes will come into effect at the Guelph COVID-19 Assessment Centre located at 400 Southgate Drive on Dec. 1.
As a reminder, most people in the community with symptoms are not eligible for COVID-19 testing.
COVID-19 testing is carried out based on provincial guidelines, which prioritize those at increased risk of severe outcomes and those living and working in high-risk settings.
With the support of local primary care providers, people, including children, with moderate cold and flu symptoms will be able to access assessment and care at the centre’s existing location, effective Thursday.
Care, assessment and treatment for those with COVID-19 and COVID-like symptoms will continue.
To reflect this change, the centre will be renamed the Guelph COVID Cold Flu Care Clinic.
Appointments will be available weekdays from 8:45am to 4:15pm as well as Saturdays and Sundays from 9:15am to 12:45pm.
This service is by appointment only and can be booked by calling (-226-773-1922.
Guelph area residents are encouraged to contact their family doctor first before booking an appointment at the Guelph COVID Cold Flu Care Clinic.
People with mild respiratory symptoms are advised to monitor their symptoms, rest, and drink plenty of fluids.
For detailed information about the services available at the clinic visit gghorg.ca/covid-19-and-ggh/covid-19-testing.
“This pandemic has placed a tremendous burden on our teams, partners in care, and community,” states hospital CEO Marianne Walker in the release.
“We are grateful and thank our teams for their shared commitment and collaboration to ensure those in need receive the best possible care,” adds Ross Kirkconnell, executive director of the Guelph Family Health Team.
