Kincardine Assessment Centre expands hours due to increase in volumes

Beginning today, Wednesday September 23, the hours of operation for the COVID-19 Assessment Centre at the Kincardine hospital will be expanded to 10:00 AM-6:00 PM Monday to Friday. Cars will not be allowed to line up for the Assessment Centre prior to 9:50 AM.

Since the return to school, volumes at the Kincardine Assessment Centre have increased dramatically. Daily averages have spiked from 50-75 at the end of August to 130-170 last week, and 300-350 this week, causing long lines of cars waiting to access the hospital and traffic congestion on Queen St.

SBGHC will continue to take action to ensure that everyone who requires a test can receive one in a timely fashion.

To assist us in managing volumes of patients, SBGHC asks that you follow the direction of Public Health around the testing of asymptomatic patients, and consider visiting the Assessment Centre after 2:00 pm when volumes are typically lower.

A system for booked appointments for the Kincardine Assessment Centre is in development, and is expected to be implemented next week.

If unsure of whether to visit an assessment centre, complete the online COVID-19 selfassessment tool or school screening tool to evaluate your symptoms (https://covid19.ontario.ca/self-assessment/).