The COVID-19 assessment centre at Erie Shores Healthcare will offer clinical services as hospitals fill up with patients suffering from the virus.
Ontario Health has asked several assessment centres across the province to offer treatment to those who have moderate or worsening symptoms.
Over the coming weeks, the province anticipates a rapid increase in demand for health services.
A doctor or nurse practitioner will assess the patient's oxygen levels, vital signs and possibly administer a rapid antigen test. The patient could be sent home to recover, offered a prescription, or referred to the emergency department.
Those with mild symptoms are asked not to come to the assessment centre, and the service is not intended to get around current provincial guidelines for PCR testing.
Those with severe symptoms, such as shortness of breath, need to call 911 or go directly to the emergency department.
As of Wednesday morning, 11 patients at Erie Shores Healthcare had COVID-19. Ten were admitted because of the virus, and two of them are in intensive care.
