Area COVID care clinic moves to Kitchener, adds cold and flu care

Waterloo Region’s COVID Care Clinic has moved to Kitchener and expanded its services to treat cold and flu patients.

The clinic, which is run by Grand River Hospital (GRH), was previously located at Pinebush Road in Cambridge, but now calls 50 Sportsworld Dr., home.

The clinic has also changed its name to the Regional COVID, Cold and Flu Care Clinic to reflect the expansion of services, which comes as the province experiences an increase in COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses like the flu and the virus. respiratory syncytial (RSV). .

“Expanding the services we offer to include cold and flu symptoms allows us to support more community care,” said Bonnie Camm, executive vice president of clinical services at GRH, in a statement.

« Building this capacity in our healthcare system is crucial to reducing pressure on emergency departments and preventing hospitalizations where possible. »

As a result, the clinic will expand its opening hours to accommodate people in the evening. Monday to Thursday the clinic will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The clinic will be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday to Sunday.

The clinic will host 400 visits per week, the HRM said, to treat and assess people who may have:

• Moderate or severe symptoms of COVID-19, cold or flu and may not be able to manage them safely at home.
• People with symptoms and requiring COVID-19 testing or treatment, but at higher risk of serious illness.
• Have symptoms of COVID-19, cold or flu and do not have a regular primary care clinician.
• And those eligible for the COVID-19 PCR test, such as healthcare workers.

GRH said COVID-19 testing for those eligible will still be available without an appointment, but appointments are available for patients of all ages, including children for assessment of cold and diarrhea symptoms. flu COVID-19.

People can call (226) 806-5690 to schedule an appointment.