COVID 19 Pandemic

updated 04/17/2020

We are working closely with our Public Health and hospital colleagues to provide up to date recommendations to ensure your safety in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Firstly, do not panic. We can limit the spread to reduce the number of sick patients requiring urgent medical care. So it is extremely important that we all practice social distancing. Please stay home where possible. Avoid social gatherings, busy places or travelling. Limit visits to the elderly, immune-compromised or chronically ill. Wash your hands frequently and do not touch your face. Wear a mask if you have symptoms.

Self-isolate if you have mild flu-like symptoms or if you travelled anywhere within the last two weeks.  Please see the attached links for how to self isolate or quarantine if indicated. 

To see if you need COVID-19 testing, use this self-assessment tool: https://www.ontario.ca/page/2019-novel-coronavirus-covid-19-self-assessment. At this time, tests are reserved for high risk cases only. If you are high risk, contact your local Public Health Unit or the Hotline at 905 546 2424 ext 7970. Please refrain from going to the ER unless you have severe symptoms. These symptoms include worsening cough, fever, shortness of breath, or feeling very unwell. 

–        Do not come to the clinic if you have cold symptoms or want to be checked for COVID-19. We do not have the appropriate infection control equipment and cannot do testing at our clinic. Coming to the clinic will put our most vulnerable patients at risk. 

o   If you have mild symptoms, stay home and self-isolate. Most mild cases will resolve, without treatment, within 7-10 days. Your self-isolation ends when you have no symptoms for 24 hours.

o   If you have shortness of breath, chest pain or light-headedness, call 911 before going to the ER. This allows preparation of infection control precautions before you arrive. 

–        All non-essential, non-urgent visits will be done as phone appointments. Book these over the phone. Our staff will make an appointment, and add it to our MD/PA/RN schedule to have you called back at your appointment time 

–        If you need to be seen in-person, do not come in early. Please wait in your cars and come into the clinic at the time of the appointment. More specific precautions may be taken on a case-by-case basis.