Though formed only weeks prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ontario Health Team-Northumberland proved to be an effective vehicle to mobilize community resources for a quick response – and continues to do so.
The current focus of the partner agencies is to focus health human resources where they are most needed – in Northumberland's two COVID-19 Assessment Centres – while working to increase testing capacity as local needs require, and as provincial direction permits.
COVID-19 Assessment Centres
The two COVID assessment centres are located in the county's two hospitals – adjacent to the emergency department at Northumberland Hills Hospital at 1000 DePalma Dr. in Cobourg (and soon to be relocated into new trailer space being installed) and in the lower side level where the old ambulance bay used to be ay Campbellford Memorial Hospital, 148 Oliver Red.
The Cobourg centre is open daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m, offering testing and assessment for eligible patients by appointment only (call 905-377-7783). At the Campbellford site, testing is done on eligible patients by appointment only (call 705-395-1801). Both are staffed by a mix of hospital, primary-care and community paramedics.
Through a temporary arrangement with the Northumberland Family Health Team, the Community Health Centres of Northumberland and local primary-care physicians, the Cobourg site can offer patients the option to see a primary-care provider, not only to serve their needs better but also to reduce the demand on primary-care health resources so they may focus on other patient-care needs.
No change in service is anticipated when the self-enclosed trailer is set up on the lawn in front of the entrance at the Cobourg site.
At the Campbellford site, planning is taking place to determine the need to expand services.
Local residents are encouraged to schedule an appointment at either centre if:
They have COVID-19 symptoms as set out on the province's COVID-19 website.
They have been notified by public health or the COVID Alert app that they have been exposed to a confirmed case of the virus.
They have been notified by public health that they are a resident or worker in a setting that has an outbreak.
They have had a school health nurse, pubic health or primary care provider tell them to be tested.
They are eligible for testing as part of a targeted Ministry of Health testing initiative.
They live or work in what is considered an at-risk setting (such as a long-term-care home, community shelter or congregate living setting).
They will be visiting a long-term-care home.
Phase 2 - Planning for additional testing and assessment
Should the transmission of COVID-19 increase, it is expected that demand for assessment and testing will also increase.
Linda Davis – Northumberland Hills Hospital president and chief executive officer, and spokesperson for the OHT-N – said the team aims to be in a position to open dedicated testing sites quickly, preventing the existing centres, emergency departments and primary-care offices from getting overwhelmed.
Phase 2 involves setting out the steps necessary to open additional testing sites at other locations throughout the county, as well as mobile pop-up services available at specific institutions or community sites as required, with the support of the county's Community Paramedicine program. Hours of operation may also be adjusted at the two existing sites if necessary.
Key factors in the opening of additional assessment and testing capacity will be an increase in the prevalence of the virus.
“The turnaround time for test results is currently longer than desired in some cases,” Davis said in the announcement. “This is due to the large number of tests being performed across the province. As announced by the province on Oct. 6, the government will be adding more testing locations to improve access and reduce wait times, as well as increased processing capacity within the provincial laboratory network.
“Our aim here in Northumberland is to be ready to respond as needed.”
Taking precautionary measures
This continues to be the best way to reduce the spread of COVID-19, and the OHT-N encourages resident and visitors to take these simple steps.
Maintain physical distancing. Keeping a minimum distance of two metres (six feet) from other people outside your immediate household removes the chance for the virus to spread,.
Wear a mask when physical distancing is not possible (or required).
Practice good hand hygiene. Clean your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and water, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth unless you have just washed or sanitized your hands.
Limit your social circle. Carefully observe provincial recommendations for limiting contacts outside your immediate household. OHT-N partners urge Northumberland residents to forego the traditional Thanksgiving gathering to avoid the potential exposure of family and social-circle members who may be vulnerable.
Download the COVID Alert app. This provides a phone alert if you may have been exposed to COVID-19, and lets others know if you test positive without sharing persona information. Download at https://covid-19.ontario.ca/covidalert.
