Expanded services offered at region’s new COVID, Cold and Flu Care Clinic
The Regional COVID Care Clinic operated by Grand River Hospital is opening its doors at a new location and has expanded its services to help combat additional respiratory diseases.
On Thursday, the clinic’s name changed to the Regional COVID, Cold, and Flu Care Clinic (CCFCC). The clinic also moved from 66 Pinebush Road in Cambridge to 50 Sportsworld Drive in Kitchener’s south end.
“With the recent influx of influenza and RSV and other conditions in our community, we are now being able to see people with cold, cough and flu symptoms as well as COVID in our clinic,” said Vickie Murray, director of the Regional CCFCC.
Grand River Hospital said the new name reflects the expanded services offered by the clinic.
Despite the name and location change, the clinic still offers COVID-19 services.
“For us, nothing has changed for COVID. We are still seeing COVID patients for testing when eligible and for assessment and treatment when eligible,” said Murray.
Murray added: “We're adding extra staff, extra hours and we're adding extra capacity to be able to expand and meet the needs of our community.”
- The clinic will offer up to 400 visits per week to support community members who:
- Have moderate or worsening COVID-19, cold, or influenza-like symptoms who cannot manage safely at home; or
- Have symptoms and are at higher risk of severe disease, who may need COVID-19 testing and/or treatments; or
- Have COVID-19, cold, or influenza-like symptoms and do not have a regular primary care clinician; or
- Are otherwise eligible for COVID-19 PCR testing (ie. health care workers).
- Those with severe symptoms should continue to seek care at their nearest emergency department, or by calling 911.
“There are other conditions in our community right now that are causing a lot of stresses and strain on our healthcare system,” said Murray.
Despite the positive reinforcement for the local healthcare system, the hope is that the services will provide a safety net that does not need to be used.
“The long-term vision in terms of what our community needs for COVID care is still a big question mark. And I think we would all love to see a need for this completely disappear,” said Murray.
Bonnie Camm, executive vice-president of clinical services at Grand River Hospital said the expanded support can support more community-based care.
“Expanding the services we offer to include cold, and flu symptoms allows us to support more community-based care,” said Camm in a news release on Wednesday.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Defence minister says Canada supports U.S. downing of Chinese balloon
The federal defence Minister says Canada 'unequivocally supports' the United States government's decision to shoot down a high-altitude surveillance balloon that was suspected of spying for China, noting the balloon violated Canadian airspace.

U.S. downs Chinese balloon, drawing a threat from China
The U.S. military on Saturday shot down a suspected Chinese spy balloon off the Carolina coast after it traversed sensitive military sites across North America. China insisted the flyover was an accident involving a civilian aircraft and threatened repercussions.
Former Israeli PM: Putin promised not to kill Zelenskyy
A former Israeli prime minister who served briefly as a mediator at the start of Russia's war with Ukraine says he drew a promise from the Russian president not to kill his Ukrainian counterpart.
New study highlights increasing prevalence of muscle dysmorphia among Canadian boys, young men
Canadian researchers are drawing attention to the increasing prevalence of 'a pathological pursuit of muscularity' among Canadian boys and young men, with a new study that found one in four were at risk of developing what's known as muscle dysmorphia.
Justice minister open to amending bail laws, OPP commissioner says change 'needed now'
Justice Minister and Attorney General David Lametti says he is open to amending bail laws, which have come under increased scrutiny following the shooting death of an Ontario Provincial Police officer.
China says it strongly opposes U.S. move to shoot down balloon
China's foreign ministry said on Sunday that it expressed strong dissatisfaction and opposition towards the United States' use of force to attack its airship.
Poor oral health could affect the brain later in life: early study
An early study has shown keeping your gums and teeth healthy may have added benefits for your brain health.
'It's devastating': Homeless Canadians at risk as Eastern Canada endures extreme cold, advocates say
As the majority of Eastern Canada stays indoors during an extreme cold weather alert, homeless shelters are struggling to keep up with the demand from unhoused people as temperatures continue to drop.
Extreme cold can bring frostbite and hypothermia. Here are the symptoms to watch for
Canadians will continue to bundle up in the country's east this weekend as a recent bout of extreme cold persists in much of Quebec and the Atlantic provinces. CTVNews.ca looks at the signs and symptoms for frostbite and hypothermia to watch for if exposed to extreme cold.