Toronto hospital opens coronavirus Assessment Centre

The Michael Garron Hospital (MGH) opened a COVID-19 Assessment Centre in Toronto on Friday.

The assessment centre was created in anticipation of an increase in coronavirus cases in the city.

The centre is accessible, located in an isolated clinic at the 825 Coxwell Avenue hospital site and has a designated, separate entrance off of Mortimer Avenue, west of the Emergency Department.

The goal of the centre is to increase capacity to respond to individuals who are experiencing symptoms that could be related to the coronavirus.

“Thanks to the exceptional dedication and efforts of our hospital team, East Toronto Family Practice Network and community partners, we are taking this next important step to expand our ability to assess and screen patients for COVID-19 in East Toronto,” Mark Fam, Vice President of Clinical Programs said.

The assessment centre is open daily from 12 – 8 pm and its patients are seen by appointment only.

THREAD: We opened a #COVID19 Assessment Centre on-site (825 Coxwell Ave.) in an isolated clinic with a designated entrance at Mortimer avenue, west of the ED. The Centre is open daily from 12-8 pm by appointment only. Learn more about how it works: https://t.co/CqUzPBDhDz pic.twitter.com/oE2zvh45xh

— MGH / TEHN (@MGHToronto) March 13, 2020

Residents can call the centre, where they will be screened for travel and contact history and symptoms, and will then be guided to self-monitor, self-isolate at home, go to the Assessment Centre, or go to the Emergency Department.

Patients that go to the Assessment Centre will be offered a booked appointment, which enables the hospital to provide the right care for patients, support the important principle of social distancing, and prevent unnecessary visits to the Assessment Centre or Emergency Department.

“Following screening, patients will be assessed by a physician and/or nurse and tested for COVID-19 if the assessment indicates that it is required,” said the hospital.

“Only patients who meet certain criteria will be tested for COVID-19. The test is similar to that of other respiratory illnesses and involves taking a sample from the back of the nasal cavity with a swab.”

2/2 How it works:
1. Call the Centre at 416-469-6858.
2. Do a pre-screen on the phone to determine whether you need to self-isolate, go to ED or get booked appt at Centre.
3. If you have an appt, your healthcare provider will determine whether a #COVID19 test is required. pic.twitter.com/HBb7lImkBL

— MGH / TEHN (@MGHToronto) March 13, 2020

• See also: 
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  • 5 COVID-19 screening centres coming across the GTA
  • Toronto creates task force to combat coronavirus spread

On March 2, MGH started the first phase of its plan to expand screening and testing capacity by establishing a dedicated COVID-19 Assessment Centre in its Emergency Deapartment.

According to the hospital, on average, the centre served about 5-10 patients each day for the first week, but now sees 20-25 patients per day, close to its maximum capacity of 30 patients at a time.

Toronto Public Health (TPH) is monitoring 41 positive cases of COVID-19 in the city as of March 13.