WELLINGTON COUNTY – The new COVID-19 assessment centre in Harriston will open on Oct. 6 and the Fergus centre is now offering expanded hours.
The Harriston centre, located at the old train station on Arthur Street, will be open on Tuesdays and Thursdays by appointment.
And the Fergus assessment centre is now open five days a week.
Wellington Health Care Alliance (WHCA) officials announced the moves on Oct. 2 in response to increased demand for tests.
“Volumes at the Fergus assessment centre continue to be consistently high and growing,” stated WHCA spokesperson Alison Armstrong.
She explained the Fergus centre, located in the old Groves hospital, completed 190 tests on Sept. 30 alone.
Wait times at the centre have often exceeded three hours.
“We are hoping the expanded hours will help to reduce wait times,” said Armstrong.
WHCA officials initially stated the Fergus location would permit walk-ins only, but about four hours later, the province announced it is transitioning to appointment-based testing at assessment centres across Ontario, starting on Oct. 6.
Armstrong later confirmed that as of Oct. 6 the Fergus centre will be by appointment only (book by calling 226-383-2415).
“We will continue to accept walk-ins on [Oct. 5], to allow people time to understand the appointment booking system,” she told the Advertiser.
Officials are reminding residents the Fergus and Harriston centres offer testing only; they do not provide medical advice or prescriptions.
Armstrong said those looking for information about the two centres in Wellington County should visit the new website: www.whcacovid.com.
People can get tested if they are showing COVID-19 symptoms or if they are not showing symptoms and:
- the public health unit or the COVID Alert app notifies you that you have been exposed to a confirmed case;
- you live or work in a setting that has a outbreak; and
- you belong to a specific group outlined in guidance from the Chief Medical Officer of Health.
Fergus assessment centre
Oct. 5 is the last day for walk-ins. The centre will transition to an appointment-only system on Oct. 6.
235 Union St E., Fergus; Phone: 226-383-2415
Monday to Friday, 10am to 6pm
Harriston assessment centre
Appointments only. Book by calling 519-843-8160.
83 Arthur St., Harriston,
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9am to 5pm
