Grey Bruce Health Services has launched a new online system to make it easier for people to book an appointment at the Owen Sound Hospital’s COVID-19 Assessment Centre. Patients have been able to call to make an appointment since the Assessment Centre opened, and the new system allows patients to book directly from their own device.

To manage the volume of patients coming to the Centre and reduce wait times, walk-ins will no longer be accepted at the hospital’s Assessment Centre. All patients coming for an assessment/testing must be pre-booked.

To book an appointment online, visit www.gbhs.on.ca and click ‘Book COVID-19 Test’, or call 519-378-1466 anytime between Monday and Friday from 12 p.m. – 4 p.m. The Assessment Centre is open Monday to Friday from 12 p.m.- 8 p.m. The test takes five minutes per person. At this time, results take about three to four days to come back.

When coming for an appointment, come directly to the Assessment Centre. Do not arrive more than 5 minutes prior to your appointment to reduce congestion in the parking area, and bring your own mask.

The Medical Officer of Health for Grey Bruce is recommending that only those who are symptomatic, or who have been identified by Public Health as being a close contact of a COVID-19 case should get a test. Provincial regulations also require visitors to long-term care to get tested within two weeks of visiting a long-term care home.

For more information visit www.gbhs.on.ca, or the health unit at www.publichealthgreybruce.on.ca.

source: media release, GBHS