NEWS RELEASE
SAULT AREA HOSPITAL
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As of March 18, Sault Area Hospital (SAH) in partnership with Algoma Public Health (APH) and the Group Health Centre (GHC) is operating a COVID-19 Assessment Centre in the former Kal Tire location at 165 Drive In Rd., located within close proximity of Sault Area Hospital.
At this time, there have been no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Algoma.
The clinic’s purpose is to assess and, only where appropriate, swab people who may have been exposed to COVID-19 with a goal of minimizing the significant number of patients presenting themselves to the Emergency Department at SAH. This COVID-19 Assessment Centre is by appointment only. For safety reasons, “walk-in” appointments are strictly prohibited. Not everyone who attends the clinic will be swabbed.
Individuals meeting the criteria below may call the COVID-19 Assessment Centre at 705-759-3434 ext. 7152 between the hours of 8 a.m. – 8 p.m., seven days per week, instead of presenting to SAH’s Emergency Department. The patient must give basic information and will be assessed based on the COVID-19 Assessment Centre’s guidelines established by Ontario Health.
Individuals with general questions should not call SAH. Instead, please contact Algoma Public Health at (705) 759-5404 (toll-free 1-866-892-0172 ext. 5404) or visit their website.
The current criteria for assessment:
Symptoms:
Fever (over 38 degrees Celsius) and/or onset of (or exacerbation of chronic) cough AND any of the following with 14 days prior to onset of illness:
- Travel outside of Canada
- Had close interactions with a confirmed or probable case of COVID-19
- Had close interactions with someone who has symptoms of COVID-19 who recently travelled outside of Canada or to an impacted area within Canada
Sault Ste. Marie’s COVID-19 Assessment Centre, funded and approved by the Ministry of Health and is a result of proactive and collaborative planning by SAH, Algoma Public Health, and the Group Health Centre. Additionally, the COVID-19 Assessment Centre would like to thank the community partners who have supported the launch of the centre.
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