Windsor’s COVID-19 Testing Centre Now Allowing Anyone To Get Tested, No Symptoms Needed

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Windsor Regional Hospital is encouraging anyone who needs or wants to be tested for COVID-19 to go to the COVID-19 Assessment Centre at the hospital’s Ouellette Campus, officials announced Sunday afternoon.

Premier Doug Ford announced Sunday that the opportunity to be tested for the virus is now available to anyone.  Ford said: “you will not be turned away, even if you or your family don’t have symptoms. If you feel you need a test, you will be able to get a test.”

“With the Premier’s declaration Sunday morning, there should no longer be any confusion – if you want a test, you can get a test,” said Windsor Regional Hospital President and CEO David Musyj. “We have often said you really don’t know what you don’t know – in other words you can’t get control of this pandemic unless you test as many people as possible and have a better picture of how many people have tested positive then do aggressive contact tracing to limit the spread of COVID-19.”

Officials say the hospital’s assessment centre is available to anyone seeking a test and the testing centre is open seven days a week, from 9am until 4pm.  They say you do not need a referral from Telehealth Ontario, a doctor, or the Health Unit in order to be tested. The COVID-19 Assessment Centre is located next to the emergency department on Goyeau Street.  Parking on site is free.

The hospital’s COVID-19 Assessment Centre has been open since March 16th and has swabbed 3,873 people out of 4,514 individuals – a testing rate of about 86 per cent, officials said Sunday.  After initially being based on a specific set of guidelines, the criteria for testing has expanded over the past few weeks and since April 1st, they say the vast majority of those who arrived for an assessment have received a swab test.

Officials say those who visit the assessment centre can also receive a primary care examination while there for any symptoms they may be struggling with that could require medical attention. “Our hope is that this gives additional incentive for individuals to seek not only tests but also medical care in a clinic-like setting while possibly avoiding having to attend another clinic or placing pressure in our Emergency Department,” said Dr. Wassim Saad, WRH Chief of Staff.

The COVID-19 Assessment Centre is staffed with two primary care physicians and nursing staff daily, hospital officials say. “Patients should also know that the assessment centre is a safe environment for testing and care,” officials said.

“You should not be concerned about transmission at the assessment centre itself – in fact it is designed to be among the cleanest environments for patients at this time given the safety and cleaning protocols, the full personal protective equipment worn by staff and immediate handing out of masks upon a patient’s arrival,” said Dr. Saad.

When you attend the COVID-19 Assessment Centre at the Ouellette campus of Windsor Regional Hospital, officials say you will:

1. Get swabbed to determine if you are positive for COVID-19;
2. Get free parking;
3. Get “in an out” quickly, safely and efficiently;
4. Get access to primary care at the same time to address related or unrelated issues to COVID-19
5. By getting tested you can protect yourself, your family and the community