Chatham-Kent Health officials will be adding drive-thru COVID-19 testing clinics in three towns following the success seen at the Wallaceburg mobile testing sites.
Throughout the month of July, Tilbury, Blenheim and Thamesville will host drive-thru clinics.
“By bringing more mobile clinics, more residents in our community will have access to testing who may not be able to get to Chatham as easily,” said Dr. David Colby, Chatham-Kent’s medical officer of health.
Earlier this month, 436 residents in Wallaceburg were able to get swabbed thanks to the mobile clinics.
“After our successful drive-thru clinics in Wallaceburg, we are pleased to bring COVID-19 testing to more communities throughout Chatham-Kent,” said Lori Marshall, president and CEO, Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (CKHA).
Additional COVID-19 clinics will take place in Wheatley and Dresden. The public will be notified of the details once they are confirmed, according to health officals.
Anyone who believes they require a COVID-19 swab test can go to one of these clinics and receive a test. This testing initiative will also be available to residents who do not arrive in a vehicle.
The clinics dates and locations are as follows, each on is open from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.:
Tilbury: Thursday, July 9 and Friday, July 10
Tilbury Arena, 49 Bond Avenue
Blenheim: Thursday, July 16 and Friday, July 17
Blenheim Memorial Arena, 199 King Street South
Thamesville: Thursday, July 23 and Friday, July 24
Thamesville Area Public School, 30 Mary Street
The mobile drive-thru COVID-19 clinics will operate as follows:
- The clinics will take place in the parking lots of each specified venue. No appointment is needed.
- Signage will direct patients upon arrival for both those who arrive in vehicles and those who do not.
- A staff member will register you while you are in your car. Please bring a valid Ontario health card.
- The health care team will perform the COVID-19 swab test while you are in your car; please remain in your car after you register to receive a test.
- Patients will be sent home with information on self-isolation and how to view their test results online. CK Public Health will call all patients who are swabbed at these clinics regardless of their results.
- If heat warnings are in effect on clinic days, out of precaution, please do not bring children and frail adults in cars who are not being tested, as well as pets.
CKHA is working in partnership with Chatham-Kent EMS, CK Public Health, Family Health Teams for the additional clinics.
“Since the pandemic was declared, our highly collaborative partnerships within the local health system have ensured that we remain vigilant in protecting our vulnerable populations and the wider community,” Marshall said.
Anyone with questions about COVID-19 are advised to visit CK Public Health’s website at http://www.ckpublichealth.com/covid19, call CK Public Health’s COVID-19 intake line at 519.355.1071 x1900 or email covid19@chatham-kent.ca.
