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Stevenson COVID-19 assessment centre completes over 18,000 tests

April 29, 2021   ·   0 Comments

Since starting testing on March 23, 2020, the COVID-19 Assessment Centre at Stevenson Memorial Hospital in Alliston has completed over 18,000 COVID-19 tests.

The Centre has made changes in the way in conducts tests.

Originally there was a first-come first-serve type operation. It has now switched to an on-line booking system.

A permanent structure has also been constructed for staff.

The change to an on-line booking system accommodates an average of 150 swabs per day and helps the flow of the entire operation as staff are aware of the numbers of people who will be arriving.

“One thing that has remained constant throughout the year and the evolution of the Assessment Centre at Stevenson is that it’s always been a team effort,” said Jessica Reid, Admin Clerk, COVID-19 Assessment Centre at SMH. “Staff from all areas of the hospital including the Emergency Department, Day Surgery, Health Information, Environmental Services, the Laboratory and more pulled together to fill roles such as runners, registration support, COVID-19 test conductors/swabbers and more.”

Staff at Stevenson are proud of the way the entire operation has worked to provide the service to residents of the community.

“We have a very dedicated team who are always willing to go the extra mile to ensure we are meeting the needs of our community,” said Vicki Hoffman, Director of Paramedical Services and Coordinator of the COVID-19 Assessment Centre at SMH. “It has been amazing to see our staff come together to provide this service in an ever-changing landscape. I know they are proud to support our community with COVID-19 testing,”

The COVID-19 Assessment Centre at SMH runs every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

All individuals must book an appointment ahead of time and meet the Ministry of Health’s guidelines for testing.

Appointments can be made on-line at: stevensonhospital.ca, or by calling 249-501-0383.

NEW TEC STATS

As of Monday, April 26, New Tecumseth has seen 1,212 cases of COVID-19, 17 of which have proved fatal. Six individuals from the community were hospitalized at press time.

Between April 20 and April 26, the community has seen 52 new cases of the virus. Of these cases, all but three were in individuals 64 years of age and younger. 29 cases are attributed to close contact or community acquisition and 4 to outbreak. 16 cases remain under investigation.

By Brian Lockhart
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

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