Pop-Up COVID-19 testing this Friday in Athens

A number of local health agencies have been working together to deliver services at the COVID-19 Assessment Centres in Leeds-Grenville and are planning several options to increase capacity for testing in the area.

A “pop-up” (temporary) testing centre will be open this Friday, September 25 in Athens to help increase access to testing for the community and to reduce the pressure on the nearby COVID-19 Assessment Centres as more permanent solutions are being completed. Testing will be performed by community paramedics from the Leeds Grenville Paramedic Service.

“We know that it has been challenging for people who have symptoms, or who have been advised by public health to be tested, to access testing centres because the demand has been so high,” says Dr. Paula Stewart, Medical Officer of Health for the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit. “I am pleased at the quick collaboration with community partners to facilitate testing in this area.”

The pop-up drive-through testing will take place at Centre 76 Arena (Fair Grounds), 35 Henry Street in Athens on Friday, September 25 and will run from 10AM to 6PM.  Vehicles are asked to enter off Elgin Street North (County Road 5) through the gate, go left around the track to the arena parking lot and wait for directions.  Anyone attending the pop-up testing is required to have a Health Card and Driver’s License, and to wear a mask.

To obtain contact information for the COVID-19 Assessment Centres, please check with the hospital website associated with each COVID-19 Assessment Centre or contact the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit at 1-800-660-5853 or Telehealth Ontario (toll-free) at (866) 797-0000 or Toll-free TTY at (866) 797-0007.

For information about other local COVID-19 Assessment Centres, and future pop-up centres and mobile testing, please visit the Health Unit website  https://healthunit.org/health-information/covid-19/assessment-testing-results/ , follow the Health Unit on social media, or call 1-800-660-5853.

This is a partnership between Brockville General Hospital, Leeds Grenville Paramedic Service, the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit and local primary care providers.

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Author: Hometown News