Patti Morton says she remembers the early months of the COVID Testing Clinic in Almonte. “COVID was very new, and we were all working very hard to keep patients, residents, families and colleagues safe,” says Patti who has led the clinic’s operations. “It was an amazing team that came together to care for our community. We are grateful for their positivity and dedication through such challenging times.”
Now, after almost three years and over 39,700 COVID tests, the clinic is closing as of Friday, February 24th. Going forward, patients with COVID-19 symptoms can take a free rapid antigen (RAT) test or visit their family doctor, nurse practitioner or local pharmacy for testing. All these healthcare providers can also prescribe anti-viral medications as required.
Originally, it was an assessment centre. The goal was to ensure safe access to COVID-19 testing and medical assessments for local communities while reducing the strain on the Lanark County Paramedic Service ambulances and hospital emergency rooms. As the pandemic unfolded, the team expanded its efforts to become a Vaccination Clinic, partnering with the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit (LGLDHU).
Physicians and staff from Almonte General Hospital, Carleton Place & District Memorial Hospital and Lanark County Paramedic Service, in partnership with LGLDHU, were involved with the clinics. In fact, more than 100 healthcare professionals have worked within the Mississippi River Health Alliance COVID response since March 2020, including screening, vaccination and the testing clinic.
“A big thank you to the health care teams at Almonte General Hospital and Carleton Place & District Memorial Hospital for leading this important initiative,” sums up President and CEO Mary Wilson Trider. “It was a wonderful example of collaboration with our healthcare partners and the two hospitals working side-by-side as part of the Mississippi River Health Alliance to care for our local communities.”
