New COVID-19 assessment centres open at hospitals in Kitchener and Cambridge

St. Mary's General Hospital in Kitchener and Cambridge Memorial Hospital have created COVID-19 assessment centres to provide care to people with moderate symptoms of the virus.

People with severe symptoms of COVID-19are still to go to the emergency department or call 911 if necessary. People with mild symptoms should reach out to their family doctor.

These new assessment centres are not the same as COVID-19 testing clinics.They are meant to be an alternative to people going to the emergency department with COVID-19 symptoms andpeople must make appointments to attend.

"The burden of COVID-19 on our hospitals over the past few weeks is the highest it's beensince the beginning of the pandemic. For this reason, we've looked for new ways to provideeasy access to care for those with COVID-19 with moderate symptoms," the region's three hospitals said in a joint statement.

The statement said the hospitals have capacity to open the centres because the province has directed them to ramp down non-urgent and scheduled surgeries, procedures, imaging and clinics.

Grand River Hospital will not be opening an assessment centre as it is directly involved in running the COVID-19 drive-thru testing centre in downtown Kitchener at the former bus terminal on Charles Street W.

People can make a self-referred appointment by contacting:

• St. Mary's General Hospital by calling519-744-3311 extension 1083.
• Cambridge Memorial by visitingmyvisit.cmh.orgor calling 226-895-1050 and people are asked to book a medical examination appointment.
• Their family doctor or Telehealth, which can also refer people to one of the centres.

The hospitals list the symptoms as follows:

Mild symptoms:

• Fever and/or chills.
• Cough or barking cough.
• Shortness of breath.
• Decrease or loss of taste.

And/or two of:

• Muscle aches/joint pain.
• Extreme tiredness.
• Sore throat.
• Runny orstuffy/congested nose.
• Headache.
• Nausea, vomiting and/ordiarrhea.

Moderate symptoms:

• Mild symptoms are worsening.
• If you're directed by a health care professional to seek an assessment.

Severe symptoms:

• Severe difficulty breathing.
• Severe chest pain.
• Feeling confused.
• Losing consciousness.