Southwestern Public Health Medical Officer of Health Asks That Only Symptomatic Residents Get Tested

High demand for testing leads to long wait times and stress on local health care resources

Dr. Joyce Lock, Medical Officer of Health, has issued a statement for the residents of Oxford County, Elgin County, and the City of St. Thomas.

“We ask that residents book appointments for testing only if they have a symptom (s) of COVID19, or if they have been instructed by public health or a health care provider to get tested. The return to school and the recent increase in cases across the region has led a lot of people to seek testing. We need to prioritize so that those who need testing the most are tested in a timely manner.

Please leave our local Emergency Departments for emergencies. Do not go to the Emergency Department with no symptoms or mild symptoms to get a COVID-19 test. If you have symptoms and require a test, please call and book an appointment. Of course, if you have difficulty breathing or are seriously ill, please call 911 or visit your local Emergency Department.

Finally, if you are a close contact of a positive case, public health will call you and you will get specific direction to book a test. If you are concerned that you have been in close contact with a probable case of COVID-19 but have not been contacted by public health, please monitor yourself for symptoms. If symptoms develop, please seek testing by calling one of the region’s Assessment and Testing Centres and booking an appointment.”

Woodstock Hospital Assessment Centre
Patients must call in to book an appointment Phone: 1-855-905-6148
Open 7 days/week 10:00a.m. - 8:00p.m.

Tillsonburg District Memorial Hospital Assessment Centre
Patients must call to book an appointment Phone: 1-855-905-6148
Open Monday to Friday 8:00a.m. - 4:00p.m.

St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital COVID-19 Assessment Centre
Patients must call to book an appointment Phone: 519-631-2030 Ext 6210
Open 7 days/week 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

About Southwestern Public Health

Southwestern Public Health works with its partners to ensure the health of the whole community. Our programs respond to public health emergencies; promote healthy lifestyles; help prevent injuries, illness and disease in the community; and promote positive change and social conditions that improve health. Southwestern Public Health delivers mandated programs under the Ontario Public Health Standards and is regulated by the Ontario Health Protection and Promotion Act. The health unit maintains primary locations in Woodstock and St. Thomas. For more information, visit www.swpublichealth.ca.

Contact

Megan Cornwell Communications Manager | Southwestern Public Health
519-631-9900 x 1259 | 1-800-922-0096
mcornwell@swpublichealth.ca