PRHC Closing COVID, Cold and Flu Clinic March 31; Alternative Assessment and Treatment Available

With declining patient volumes and a shift from acute crisis management to an integrated chronic approach for treating COVID-19, the Peterborough Regional Health Centre’s (PRHC) COVID, Cold and Flu Clinic (previously the COVID-19 Assessment Centre) will close on March 31.

file photo.

PRHC’s COVID-19 Assessment Centre opened in April 2020 to respond to the community need for COVID- 19 assessment and testing. Since then, it has provided safe and timely access to PCR testing, clinical assessments by nurses, paramedics and physicians, and treatment for COVID-19.

In December 2022, the clinic expanded its services to provide assessment, testing and treatment for patients with respiratory symptoms, including COVID-19, cold and flu.

“The work done to launch and operate PRHC’s COVID, Cold and Flu Clinic over the last three years represents a truly community effort, with a number of healthcare partners coming together to make this service possible for patients,” said Dr. Lynn Mikula, PRHC’s current Chief of Staff and incoming President & CEO. “I am incredibly proud of the work of this clinic, and I want to thank everyone who has been involved in its success – including every physician and staff member who stepped forward to provide their service and support at a very challenging and uncertain time for all of us.”

The Assessment Centre will remain open through to March 31. After this date, community members are encouraged to take advantage of one or more of the following services:

  • Primary care provider (family doctor)

  • For those individuals without a primary care provider, visit PRHC's website to see a list of care alternatives in the community for unattached patients.

  • Call 811 or visit the Health811 website for safe, high-quality care from a registered nurse.

  • Visit a local pharmacy. Many prescribe and dispense Paxlovid and offer onsite PCR and rapid testing.
    As respiratory illnesses continue to circulate in the region, vaccination remains one of the most effective ways to protect against viruses. All approved COVID-19 vaccines used in Canada are effective at helping to protect against severe illness, including hospitalization and death from COVID-19. COVID-19 vaccines remain available to the public through Peterborough Public Health and participating pharmacies.

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Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) Opens COVID-19 Assessment Centre, Will Move To Mobile Unit Soon

To respond to the increasing need for COVID-19 assessment in Peterborough City and County, Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) has opened a COVID-19 Assessment Centre (the assessment centre will be moved to a mobile unit outside of the main hospital building on Monday, March 23rd).

If you suspect you might have COVID-19:

1. Complete the COVID-19 Self-Assessment on the Ontario.ca/coronavirus page

2. Based on the results of your self-assessment, contact Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000 or Peterborough Public Health at 705-743-1000 x. 401

3. If your symptoms are severe, call 911 and alert the dispatcher to your travel history and symptoms

HOW THE COVID-19 ASSESSMENT CENTRE AT PRHC WORKS

The Assessment Centre is currently located within a dedicated area inside the hospital’s Emergency Department at 1 Hospital Drive in Peterborough.

Assessments are available by appointment only after following the steps outlined above. Patients should attend the assessment centre only as directed by Peterborough Public Health or Telehealth Ontario. 

Members of the public who come to the Assessment Centre without an appointment will not be seen. 

WHAT TO EXPECT AT PRHC’s COVID-19 ASSESSMENT CENTRE

  • Patients who have had an assessment scheduled by Peterborough Public Health or Telehealth Ontario should present to the entrance of the Emergency Department at least 15 minutes prior to their appointment time and follow the direction provided by the person screening patients and visitors.

  • Patients coming for assessment should clean their hands and apply a face mask as directed when entering the hospital. From there, they will be redirected to the COVID-19 assessment area, where hospital staff will complete the assessment. Testing will be administered according to Ministry of Health guidelines according to the results of the assessment; not all patients who are assessed will be tested for COVID-19.

  • Following their assessment, patients will be directed on next steps, which may include self-monitoring instructions, returning home to self-isolate while waiting for test results, or remaining in the Emergency Department for further assessment.

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