WRH COVID-19 Drive-Thru Testing
25-8-2020
A.steady.stream.of residents in Windsor and Essex Couty took advantage of the Windsor Regional Hospital COVID-19 drive-thru testing blitz this week outside of the St. Clair College Sportsplex.
Although it was officially set to open at 9 am on Monday, vehicles were already lined up as of 7 am, therefore testing began a little earlier than the 9 am start.
By the end of the day on Monday, more than 400 individuals had been tested.
Staff at Windsor Regional Hospital operated the drive-thru test site on Aug. 24 - 25, which consisted of filling out a quick form, followed by the nasal swab test.
About 20 volunteers were also on-site each day to direct traffic, answer people's questions about wait times and translating if necessary.
Staff received great feedback from drivers and passengers - virtually all of whom were wearing masks when they drove up to the testing area.
Further testing at the college will take place inside the Sportsplex on Thursday, September 3 and Friday, September 4th from 9 am to 4 pm, before the Labour Day weekend.
Starting Tuesday, September 8th, the Sportsplex COVID-19 assessment centre will operate with the same hours as the Ouellette Campus, daily from 8 am to 7 pm on weekdays, and from 9 am to 4 pm on Saturdays, Sundays and statutory holidays.
The Sportsplex will act as a temporary second COVID-19 assessment centre, until a more permanent site is set up at the Met Campus. Plans for the site at the Met Campus have been delayed due to the unavailability of trailers for people getting tested and for staff. The future assessment centre will be located adjacent to the Emergency Department on the east end of campus.
To date, more than 25,000 people have been swabbed for COVID-19 since the assessment centre at the Ouellette Campus opened on March 16th.