With appointment-only COVID-19 assessment centres being set up in Belleville, Picton and shortly North Hastings, officials with Quinte Health Care want to remind you about the steps you should be taking to get care, if you think you have the virus.
QHC Spokesperson Susan Rowe says the goal is not to overload the region’s healthcare facilities and workers.
Rowe says 80% of people who get the virus will experience mild-to-moderate symptoms and should self-isolate at home, until they feel better, or until their symptoms get worse.
Locations of the clinics will only be released to those who are screened and scheduled for an appointment and healthcare officials say you should not show up and try to walk in, because you won’t be seen.
Local COVID-19 Assessment Centres available by appointment Here are Quinte Health Care’s outlined steps for anyone in the area who is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms:
Have symptoms of COVID-19? Don’t go anywhere yet. Stay away from others.
- If you are able, do the online assessment.
- Call your Health Care provider, Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000, or Hastings Prince Edward Public Health at 613-966-5500; TTY 711; 1-800-267-2803. 80% of people with this virus have mild to moderate symptoms, need to isolate themselves at home, and do not need to be tested for the virus.
- If told by Public Health or Telehealth Ontario to seek additional care after being screened, contact the central COVID-19 Assessment Centre (CAC) hotline at 613-961-5544. Health Care providers can refer directly to the assessment centres (no need for the patient to contact the hotline if being referred by a primary care provider).
- Individuals deemed to have moderate symptoms will be scheduled for a virtual consultation with a doctor (either over the phone or online) or scheduled for an on-site appointment at a local COVID-19 Assessment Centre (CAC). Not all appointments at a CAC will result in swabbing/testing – only those meeting the Ministry of Health criteria.
- Individuals deemed to have severe symptoms, requiring hospital-level care, will be sent to the hospital.
Note: If you can’t get through the screening process and your symptoms are severe, causing difficulty breathing, call an ambulance or go to the hospital emergency department.
