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The COVID-19 assessment centre operated by Southlake Regional Centre is moving when its temporary location at Newmarket's senior centre closes at the end of the month.
Southlake is moving its assessment centre in Newmarket two blocks east to 22 Prospect St., which will open Oct. 29 at 1 p.m. and operate from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week, with appointments required to be booked online. Drop-ins are not available.
Appointments booked for or after Oct. 29 will take place at the new location, while all appointments scheduled for dates prior to Oct. 29 will take place at the Seniors’ Meeting Place at 474 Davis Dr.
Limited free parking is available at the new location, with additional paid parking in the hospital’s parking garage across the street on Davis Drive.
Wait times for test results depend on the number of tests that labs are processing. Results are available on the government website.
Under provincial criteria, you can be tested at the assessment centre if:
- you have symptoms of COVID-19;
- you were alerted to a potential exposure by the COVID-19 app or by public health;
- you have been in contact with someone who has COVID-19;
- you were involved in a COVID-19 outbreak.
Testing required for travel will not be provided.
Individuals experiencing intense symptoms, such as difficulty breathing or chest pain should visit the emergency department or call 911.
The hospital's assessment centre was located for about a year at the Newmarket Seniors’ Meeting Place, which is reopening after being closed since March 2020.
The Town of Newmarket is working to reopen the centre for programming by mid-November, according to a hospital news release.
“Thank you, Mayor Taylor, council and the staff at the town for your support and dedication over the last year and helping us to provide such a critical service to the community. This is a great example of how partnerships are improving the care we provide and building a healthier community overall,” Arden Krystal, Southlake president and CEO, Southlake, said.
“The Seniors’ Meeting Place offered an ideal location for COVID testing through the height of the pandemic. Now, with a large percentage of residents vaccinated and the town in a position to offer more in-person programs and services, we're looking forward to again opening the Meeting Place to Newmarket's vibrant seniors community," said Mayor John Taylor.
"This is another exciting step toward pre-pandemic life made possible by our collective efforts of following public health guidelines and getting vaccinated. Southlake has played a vital role throughout the pandemic. I want to thank the whole Southlake team for their hard work and their unwavering dedication to building a safer and healthier community together.”
