As new cases of the novel coronavirus are being found every day, a Toronto hospital is opening a screening centre in the east end.
Michael Garron Hospital (MGH) is one of the first hospitals to open a screening centre in the city. The screening centre is located in an on-site, isolated clinic at 825 Coxwell Ave. with a separate entrance off of Mortimer Avenue, west of the emergency department on March 12, said Andrea Nameth in an email, senior consultant of corporate communications at MGH.
“Thanks to the exceptional dedication and efforts of our hospital team, East Toronto Family Practice Network and community partners, we are taking this next important step to expand our ability to assess and screen patients for COVID-19 in East Toronto,” said Mark Fam, vice president of clinical programs at MGH, in a press release.
“MGH now has an on-site dedicated COVID-19 Assessment Centre to support our East Toronto community. Established together with our East Toronto Family Practice Network and community care partners,” the press release said.
This Assessment Centre is close to the hospital, should patients need emergency care and it is open daily from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
They do not take walk-ins though. Patients are asked to book an appointment by phone at 416-469-6858.
According to the press release, after a patient arrives at the centre and is screened, a physician or nurse will assess the patient and test for COVID-19, if it’s necessary.
The City of Toronto currently has 10 assessment centres open, including Humber River, North York General, and Scarborough Health Network – Birchmount Hospital
As of March 13, Canada has over 100 confirmed cases, with 42 in Ontario, 39 in British Columbia, 14 in Alberta, seven in Quebec and one death.
People are being urged to stay home if you can, practice good hygiene, and practice social distancing. This are just some of the ways people can help the spread of COVID-19.
The Ontario government has a self-assessment test anyone can take if they feel they have COVID-19 or have been in contact with someone who has. They can check https://covid-19.ontario.ca/self-assessment/#q0 or call Telehealth Ontario, which is a hotline that gives free medical advice to callers at toll-free: 1-866-797-0000.