On Tuesday, the COVID-19 Assessment Centre in Guelph will change accepting in person testing to a completely appointment-based model due to a recent order from the provincial government for all assessment centres.
As of Monday afternoon Guelph General Hospital, which operates the local centre, has not shared specific information as to what phone number people are to call when they want to make an appointment with the new system.
“This is a rapidly evolving situation,” said Perry Hagerman, senior communications specialist at GGH. “Sometime tomorrow (Tuesday) we will have the option in place for people to book their appointments by phone.”
Once the details about phone appointments are available they will be shared widely, said Hagerman. In the meantime, people seeking testing can still show up at the assessment centre in person to make a same-day appointment.
“There will be a bit of overlap when the phones are up and running but appointments can still be made in person,” said Hagerman. “Once it is clear the phone-in process is working well, we will no longer be making appointments in person. Everyone’s patience in this matter is really appreciated.”
Contact tracing and management of positive test results are handled by Public Health, said Danny Williamson, spokesperson for Wellington Dufferin Guelph Public Health.
“In general, contact tracing is prioritized by WDG Public Health to reducing the spread of the virus,” said Williamson. “When someone testing positive takes the call from Public Health and lists their contacts as accurately as possible they ensure any high-risk contacts get tested as soon as possible.”
Most contact tracing is complete within 24 to 48 hours and people who receive negative results can get those online, said Williamson.
By making sure all or most high-risk contacts are tested quickly, said Williamson, they can beginning self-isolating or receiving treatment.
“A public health nurse will work with the positive case and high risk contacts to ensure they understand how, and have the ability, to follow public health protocols,” he said.
The current backlog on testing hasn’t hindered Public Health’s work to date, said Williamson, but could be a problem if it gets any longer.
“Backlogs could create challenges for contact tracing because the process is most successful when it happens as close to the positive result as possible, getting accurate information from people and minimizing any potential spread,” he said.
Williamson did not immediately have information on how long it currently takes to receive either a positive or negative test result in Guelph.
