Due to a drop in case numbers, the Chatham-Kent COVID, cold and flu care clinic — formerly the COVID-19 assessment center — will close its doors April 1.
In a release, the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance stated the decision comes following a significant decrease in individuals accessing the clinic, located at 10 Grand Ave. in Chatham, as COVID-19 cases continue to trend down.
Similar to other jurisdictions across Ontario, volumes have reached a point too low to justify continued funding, officials said.
“The Chatham-Kent COVID, cold and flu care clinic, also known as the assessment center during early waves of the pandemic, has been a crucial tool for our community in the fight against COVID-19,” president and CEO Lori Marshall said.
“While we have now reached a stage of very low spread of the virus in our community, COVID-19 is still prevalent and we urge anyone who feels unwell to continue taking precautions to help limit the spread of respiratory ailments.”
In March of 2020, the assessment center model launched across Ontario, with health organizations operating the service to provide reliable access to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests to identify COVID-19 infections.
Since its inception, the Chatham clinic provided over 115,000 PCR tests, enhanced physician access to hundreds of residents, and issued dozens of prescriptions for patients eligible for anti-viral treatment for COVID-19.
Patients can still receive care for COVID-19 symptoms from local family health team physicians and nurse practitioner-led clinics, as well as primary health providers and walk-in/urgent care clinics in the community.
Anyone who develops severe symptoms requiring medical attention, including shortness of breath, chest pain, loss of consciousness or confusion, is urged to call 9-1-1 or go to the emergency department.