Residents and staff at three local long-term care centres have been tested for COVID-19 and the rest will be tested soon.
Marie LaRose, executive director of the Georgian Bay Family Health Team (GBFHT), confirmed testing is complete at Bay Haven Care Community, Collingwood Nursing Home, and Creedan Valley (Creemore).
The Georgian Bay Family Health Team is running the Collingwood COVID-19 assessment centre, a drive-thru tent in front of the medical clinic building on Erie Street.
According to LaRose, they’ve been sending teams to local long-term care facilities to test residents and staff.
The provincial government has mandated all staff and residents of long-term care facilities are to be tested for COVID-19, including people who have no symptoms.
“We will certainly meet the deadline of all LTC test by May 15,” said LaRose. “Next week we will be sending teams into retirement homes.”
The GBFHT is working with the Collingwood General and Marine Hospital and Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit to accomplish the universal testing.
LaRose said it has been a great collaboration.
The assessment centre has seen some spikes in daily tests this month with 66 tests completed at the drive-thru tent on May 11 and 73 completed there on May 6. There have also been quiet days. On May 4, the assessment centre completed four tests. On May 4 and 5 there was a bit of a spike with 120 and 103 tests respectively, but those included 96 and 57 tests related to the long-term care facility testing.
On May 1 the centre completed 45 tests, and for the remainder of the days in May, the tests completed range between 22 and 29.
Testing is done by appointment, and anyone can self-refer and call the GBFHT to book a test.
To make an appointment, sign up on the GBFHT website, or call 705-444-5885. Your family physician can also refer you to the centre for a COVID-19 test.
For more information on the symptoms of COVID-19 and to take a self-assessment online, click here.
