Journal Staff
Two local COVID-19 assessment centres are about to begin offering drive-through testing.
The move will allow more tests to be done and with less personal contact, said Laurie Zimmer, Bluewater Health’s VP of operations.
“With the recent announcement that anyone can be swabbed, this will help to avoid crowding and accidental close contact of symptomatic people,” she said.
In Sarnia, drive-through testing will begin Saturday at the Twin Bridges Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic, 153 Christina St. South, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Phone: 226-776-9030).
No appointment is required, and COVID swabs will be performed with people remaining in their vehicles.
The approach is from the south end of Front Street. Only right turns will be allowed into the drive-through centre. You are asked to bring your Ontario Health Card, although people without a card won’t be denied a test.
The Rural Lambton Assessment Centre in Petrolia will begin drive-through testing Tuesday. The Centre is asking people to call in advance for pre-registration. Appointments can be made Monday to Friday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., by calling 519-882-2500.
Meanwhile, residents with COVID-19 at Vision Nursing Home are being moved to hospital to help control the ongoing spread of the virus, Bluewater Health said.
The Wellington Street home has been struggling to contain Sarnia-Lambton’s worst outbreak since April 23.
Twenty-four residents have contracted COVID-19 and seven have died. Another 24 staff members have been infected, with 16 still testing positive.
Nine residents still have the virus, and all of them are being moved to hospital beds today.
Bluewater Health has more infection control experience, having cared for almost 60 COVID-19 patients since the beginning of the pandemic.
The move will allow Vision to focus on providing regular care in other areas of the home, while the hospital’s management team continues to oversee infection control and personal protective equipment practices, Bluewater Health said.
Outbreaks at two other city senior homes, Marshall Gowland Manor and Residence on the St. Clair, were declared over Thursday.
As of this morning, Sarnia-Lambton had 261 cases and 22 deaths, number unchanged from Thursday, Lambton Public Health said.
A total of 196 people have recovered, up six from Thursday.
