No date for reopening of Slemon Park COVID-19 testing clinic

People who wish to take a COVID-19 test at a clinic will need to continue to travel to O’Leary or Charlottetown for some time.

Post-Tropical Storm Fiona damaged the Slemon Park test site and repairs are taking longer than expected, according to Health PEI.

« The Slemon Park test site suffered extensive damage during Fiona, including collapsed walls, » Health PEI officials said. to CBC in an email. « Repairs are ongoing and have taken longer than expected. We do not yet have a reopening date for Slemon Park. »

Meanwhile, local Islanders can access testing facilities in O’Leary – a 40-minute drive away – or in Charlottetown.

Unsuitable mobile units

According to Health PEI, mobile units at the Slemon Park location were not a good option due to the change in weather.

« Rather than deploying a mobile unit to the Slemon Park area, resources have been redeployed to O’Leary so it can be open longer from a more stable environment, » the statement said. « When the fall weather begins, the mobile units become less suitable. »

Currently in Slemon Park, the area where people would normally go to get tested is being used as a place to store supplies and debris from the cleanup. Once the clinic reopens, it will no longer be a drive-through location. People arriving for appointments will need to get out of their car and enter the building to get dabbed.

Islanders seeking a COVID-19 test can make an appointment through Skip the Waiting Room or by calling 1-855-354-4358, but walk-in visits are also accepted.

The O’Leary Clinic is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Saturday.