COVID testing site closes
By Cecilia Nasmith
As demand for COVID testing declines in Northumberland, the work of the three testing centres has been shifted to two with the closure of the site in Canton.
Local health and community care providers will continue to work through the Ontario Health Team-Northumberland partnership to provide testing in Cobourg (at the Northumberland Hills Hospital COVID-19 Assessment Centre) and Campbellford (at the Trent Hills COVID-19 Testing Centre).
The Canton site opened in October, operating three to four days a week (depending on demand) at the Port Hope Community Hub (formerly the Canton Municipal Hall) at 5325 County Rd. 10, with the intention that it was primarily for asymptomatic individuals. As long-term-care homes and retirement residences have begun introducing their own testing of essential caregivers and local infection rates have declined, the Canton site has seen reduced demand in recent weeks.
“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 love done in an area long-term-care home or those who may have been exposed in a work or school setting,” OHT-N spokesman (and NHH President and Chief Executive Officer) Linda Davis said in the announcement.
“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,” Davis said.
“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 Cobourg and Campbellford testing and assessment centres, COVID-19 testing and assessment will continue to be available on an emergency basis through the emergency departments at NHH and Campbellford Memorial Hospital – and in a pop-up capacity (as circumstances require) through the Northumberland Paramedics' Community Paramedicine team. Select pharmacies are also now offering asymptomatic COVID-19 testing.
In Cobourg, the NHH COVID-19 Assessment Centre is located at 1000 DePalma Dr. In the dedicated trailer space outside the hospital's main entrance, with entry directly adjacent to the Emergency Department entrance. Hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. It provides testing for eligible patients and assessment by primary care providers of patients eligible for COVID-19 testing as needed for other related care needs (such as strep throat and common cold). Access is by pre-scheduled appointments only (call 905-377-7783).
In Campbellford, the Trent Hills COVID-19 Testing Centre is at 146 Oliver Rd. on the lower side level of Campbellford Memorial Hospital (the old ambulance bay). Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, with testing available for eligible patients. Access is by pre-scheduled appointments only (call 705-395-1801).
Local residents are encouraged to schedule an appointment if:
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 a COVID-19 outbreak
They have had a public health or primary care provider (family physician or nurse practitioner) tell them to be tested
They 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
They will be visiting a long-term-care home and are unable to access testing services within the facility
