COVID-19 testing at Brewer Park Arena moving to do-it-yourself testing system
The COVID-19 Assessment Centre for Adults at Brewer Park Arena is shifting to a do-it-yourself testing model.
Starting Monday, the assessment centre will distribute and collect do-it-yourself test kits, instead of performing in-person testing.
"The DIY model reduces interactions to keep assessment centre staff and patients as safe as possible during the current wave of COVID-19," said the Ottawa COVID-19 Testing Taskforce.
"This transition will also free up clinical staff who can then be redirected to support hospital shortages or vaccination efforts."
Residents who meet the current testing criteria can book an appointment to pick up the DIY test kit on the Ottawa Public Health site. When you pick up the PCR test kit, you can complete the test on-site, in the car or at home, then drop it back at the Brewer Arena for processing at the lab.
"Please note that the test kits are intended to be picked-up, completed and returned on the same day," said the task force. "The test solution has a short expiry period which means that the kits are not intended to be picked up and held onto for 'just in case' testing scenarios."
The COVID-19 Assessment Centre was the first COVID-19 testing centre to open in Ottawa back in March 2020.
The Ontario government changed the rules for qualifying for a PCR COVID-19 test. Testing will only be recommended for people in the following groups, according to Ottawa Public Health.
Symptomatic people who fall into one of the following groups:
- Patient-facing healthcare workers
- Staff, volunteers, residents/inpatients, essential care providers, and visitors in highest risk settings, including hospitals, long-term care homes, retirement homes and shelters
- Household members of workers in highest risk settings
- Temporary Foreign Workers in congregate living settings
- Patients seeking emergency medical care, at the discretion of the treating clinician
- Pregnant people
- First responders, including fire, police and paramedics
- Elementary and secondary students and education staff who have received a PCR self-collection kit through their school
Symptomatic/asymptomatic people:
- From First Nation, Inuit, and Métis communities and individuals travelling into these communities for work
- On admission/transfer to or from hospital or congregate living setting
- Close contacts and people in the context of confirmed or suspected outbreaks in highest risk settings as directed by the local public health unit
- Asymptomatic testing in hospital long-term care, retirement homes, and other congregate living settings and institutions as per provincial guidance and/or Directives, or as directed by public health units
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.