Contacting the local Covid-19 testing centre has changed with a second phone number added in response to high call volumes.
Telephone inquiries to the testing centre have increased significantly since the reopening of local schools.
Prior to that, the testing centre call line was already busy with testing inquiries related to visitation screening for long term care and retirement homes, and people needing tests prior to surgical procedures.
West Parry Sound Health Centre Director of Primary Care, Nurse practitioner Katie Hogue says “This will reduce the number of repeat calls and ensure we can triage the symptomatic testing or urgent surgical tests to be completed either the same or next day. We have a dedicated intake staff member who will be booking those asymptomatic tests and calling patients back.”
The two numbers split the calls into symptomatic and asymptomatic cases.
For those with Covid-19 symptoms should call the Health Centre at 705-746-4540, extension 5030.
For those without symptoms call and use extension 5036.
These callers can and should leave a message.
–Written by Kent Matheson