COVID-19 assessment clinics in Guelph and Stratford close today
More COVID-19 assessment clinics are closing due to a decrease in demand.
Clinics in Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph and Huron-Perth officially shut their doors today.
The clinic in Waterloo region closed last week.
Public health is directing people in need of assessment to the traditional resources available for people who are ill – urgent care clinics, family doctors and pharmacies.
"Anyone that needs a COVID assessment should reach out to their family doctor and if they need a COVID swab, their family physician can do an assessment or they can go to a local pharmacy that provides the swabbing," Lori Merner, director of patient care for the Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance, said.
Dr. Sharon Bal said after a week without the COVID clinic, they have not seen much of a change.
“Primary care offices are often the place where we navigate the system, we might see an uptick though for those who are familiar with the system,” Dr. Sal said.
Dr. Bal said it’s time to shift to a new model and she suggests people use the healthcare resources where they are needed.
“it makes sense for people to go back to the hospitals and in the community If that’s where we are needed more,” Dr. Bal said. “When respiratory viruses were really high and we were dealing with the winter and so much stress with on health and human resources, we really wanted to take the pressure off community clinics and the emergency department but at the end of the day now where we are, it probably is appropriate to bring it back to the community.”
LOCAL PHARMACIST REACTS
Kitchener pharmacist Vishal Acharya said pharmacies have not been given much direction from public health on how they can assist their efforts but she said she’s happy to help.
“Pharmacists have been stepping up since this whole pandemic started, so it’s just another thing we can help out with,” said Acharya with Lancaster Wellness Pharmacy.
Acharya said patients should always call ahead before coming in to avoid the spread of airborne illness.
“I think most patients are now aware not to go out if they have symptoms,” she said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
U.S. says Israel's use of U.S. arms likely violated international law, but evidence is incomplete
The Biden administration said Israel's use of U.S.-provided weapons in Gaza likely violated international humanitarian law but wartime conditions prevented U.S. officials from determining that for certain in specific airstrikes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Mother assaulted by stranger while breastfeeding baby in her car: Vancouver police
A person was arrested in East Vancouver Thursday after allegedly entering a car while a mother was breastfeeding her four-month-old boy.
'We have laws': Premier Smith says police action justified in Calgary
The actions, including the decision to use non-lethal force, to disperse pro-Palestinian protesters from the University of Calgary campus were justified, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said Friday.