Lambton County's COVID-19 assessment centres have expanded their scope to assess and treat patients with cold and flu symptoms.
The centres, previously known as the COVID-19 Testing and Respiratory Assessment Centres, have been renamed to COVID, Cold and Flu Care Centres (CCFCC).
Sarnia-Lambton Ontario Health Team, Health System Integration Lead, Nadine Neve said this should ease pressure on the Emergency Department at Bluewater Health.
"If you're experiencing symptoms and you're worried that it might be COVID, obviously residents are able to rapid test and then there's certain eligibility criteria around the PCR testing that's done," said Neve. "So, that is still available at those clinics. [But, now it's] also if you're having flu-like symptoms... cough, cold, and you feel like you need to see someone."
Neve said it's really an expansion of assessment services.
"The first goal is always to talk to your primary care practitioner, physician or nurse practitioner, and then if you can't get in there and you need to be seen, especially for kids who've had a fever for multiple days and [are] unable to get the fever down... that's a time to go in and see them."
The centres include two in Sarnia; Twin Bridges Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic at 153 Christina Street South and the Rapids Family Health Team at 1150 Pontiac Drive.
"Twin Bridges has the ability to book through their website for either a respiratory, or a cough and flu assessment, and Rapids is by appointment only for the larger assessments and they have numbers that you can call on their website."
Appointments can also be made at the Plympton-Wyoming Health and Wellness Centre, the Grand Bend Area Community Assessment Centre, and through the Aamjiwnaang, Kettle and Stony Point and Walpole Island First Nations.
Booking instructions and hours for each location are posted on the Lambton Public Health website.
Tips from primary care providers on how to decide when to seek care for respiratory illness, and how to support your child at home, can be viewed here.
"Obviously, stay home if you're not feeling well, don't be going to work ill," said Neve. "Obviously, we're really encouraging people to get their vaccinations. So, if you haven't had your most up to date COVID booster, flu shots, [they're] still available at local pharmacies and primary care practitioners."
People with mild respiratory symptoms are advised to monitor their symptoms, rest and drink plenty of fluids.