COVID testing services to be consolidated in light of reduced demand
OHT-N COVID-19 testing services consolidating in Northumberland from three sites to two as demand for testing declines – Municipality of Port Hope recognized by OHT-N partners for generously providing Canton site free of charge since October, 2020
Local health and community care providers continue to work together through the Ontario Health Team of Northumberland (OHT-N) partnership to deliver COVID-19 assessment and testing in Northumberland County.
Beginning Monday, June 7, OHT-N COVID-19 testing will wind down at the Port Hope Community Hub (formerly the Canton Municipal Hall) and be consolidated once again at two centres within Northumberland County:
- the NHH COVID-19 Assessment Centre at Northumberland Hills Hospital; and
- the Trent Hills COVID-19 Testing Centre in Campbellford.
Opened in October, 2020, the Canton site has been operating three- to four-days a week, depending on demand, at the the Port Hope Community Hub (formerly the Canton Municipal Hall) at 5325 County Road 10, just north of the village of Canton. Opened primarily for those without active symptoms, the Canton site has seen reduced demand of late, as retirement and long-term care homes have begun introducing testing of essential caregivers, and local rates of COVID-19 have declined.
“The specific aim of the Canton COVID-19 Testing Centre was to provide another local option for those without active symptoms, such as those who required a test because they wished to visit a loved one in an area long-term care home, or those who may have been exposed in a work or school setting,” said Linda Davis, spokesperson for the OHT-N and President and CEO at Northumberland Hills Hospital.
“The Canton location provided additional testing options for local residents when it was needed most, and added overall capacity at both NHH and Trent Hills sites to cater to those with COVID-19 or other respiratory-like symptoms. In total, over 4,300 tests have been conducted at the Canton site. On behalf of the OHT-N members, I thank Mayor Bob Sanderson and the Municipality of Port Hope for their generous support in offering and opening the Canton site for this purpose. I also want to recognize the support of the Community Health Centres of Northumberland and Northumberland Paramedics, for generously supporting the centre’s staffing needs, alongside the Laboratory team at Northumberland Hills Hospital, who oversaw the processing of the swabs. With many local hands supporting it, the Canton site did exactly what it was intended to do. While we hope it will not be needed again in the future, we have been assured by Port Hope that the facility could be made available again as needs require.”
In addition to the two testing and assessment centres in Northumberland, COVID-19 assessment and testing will continue to be available on an emergency basis via the Emergency Departments at both Northumberland Hills Hospital and Campbellford Memorial Hospital, and in a ‘pop-up’ capacity (as circumstances require) through the Community Paramedicine team of Northumberland Paramedics. Select pharmacies in the region are also now offering asymptomatic COVID-19 testing. For information on pharmacy-based testing services please contact your local pharmacy directly.
Below is a table listing the full complement of services available at the NHH and Trent Hills Centre, and the numbers to call to access each.
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Location |
Hours of operation |
Services available |
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NHH COVID-19 Assessment Centre |
1000 DePalma Drive, in the dedicated trailer space outside the main hospital, with entry directly adjacent to the NHH Emergency Department entrance - dedicated and accessible entry/exit. |
Open daily, 8AM to 4PM |
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Trent Hills COVID-19 Testing Centre |
At 146 Oliver Road in Campbellford, lower side level of Campbellford Memorial Hospital (the old Ambulance Bay). |
Open Monday to Thursday, 9AM to 5PM
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Who should be tested at the Centres listed above? - Local residents are encouraged to schedule an appointment with a local COVID-19 Assessment Centre if they:
- have COVID-19 symptoms (see what those symptoms are, or take a self assessment, on Ontario’s COVID-19 website: https://www.ontario.ca/page/covid-19-stop-spread#section-0);
- have been notified by public health or the COVID Alert app that they have been exposed to a confirmed case of the virus;
- have been notified by public health that they are a resident or worker in a setting that has a COVID-19 outbreak;
- have had a public health or primary care provider (family physician or nurse practitioner) tell them to be tested;
- live or work in a setting considered at-risk for COVID-19, such as a long-term care home, community shelter or other congregate living setting;
- will be visiting a long-term care home and are unable to access testing services within the facility.