Jenna Cocullo, Local Journalism Initiative
Thamesville’s drive-thru COVID-19 testing clinic broke records last week.
More than 500 people attended the two-day clinic on Thursday and Friday, according to Chatham-Kent Health Alliance officials.
Approximately 1,800 residents have been tested through CKHA’s drive-thru clinics, held in partnership with Chatham-Kent EMS, CK Public Health, and local Family Health Teams.
Some residents are getting tested because of COVID-19 symptoms or close contact, others because they require proof that they are not infected before entering long-term care homes.
According to provincial regulations, for indoor visits at long-term care homes, visitors are required to verbally attest to home staff that they have tested negative for COVID-19 within the previous two weeks and not subsequently tested positive.
The COVID-19 assessment centre on 47 Emma St. in Chatham remains open between 9 a.m to 5 p.m., seven days a week. Residents are asked to make appointments beforehand. Walk-ins might experience a long wait.
CKHA said all the partners are working on coordinating additional clinics in August and will announce the dates and locations as soon as they become available.
