COVID-19 testing available at McNabb Arena as Ottawa sees increase in demand for children testing
A pop-up COVID-19 testing clinic in downtown Ottawa will remain open for another week amid increased demand for tests, especially among children.
Ottawa's COVID-19 Testing Taskforce partnered with Canadian Health Labs to open the temporary assessment centre at McNabb Arena. Last weekend, parents and children lined up for over two hours to get a COVID-19 test, with more than 600 people getting tested at the clinic.
The centre at 180 Percy St. will be open daily until next Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Individuals six months and older are eligible for testing services at the clinic.
The clinic is no longer accepting walk-ins; you'll need to book an appointment online.
Parents have complained about a lack of appointments for children and youth at the CHEO Community Assessment Clinic at Brewer Arena. As of 1 p.m. Thursday, the earliest appointment available at the CHEO Clinic is Saturday afternoon, with dozens of appointments available on Sunday.
There are appointments available on Friday at the McNabb COVID Centre.
On Tuesday, a total of 2,604 swabs were processed at assessment centres in Ottawa. There were a total of 518 tests at the CHEO Assessment Centre, and 247 tests at the McNabb Assessment Centre.
Medical Officer of Health Dr. Vera Etches said Wednesday that the testing partners are exploring different options to increase COVID-19 testing capacity in Ottawa.
"We have seen across all of the testing sites run by our partners that the demand is up, especially for children," said Etches.
"Our testing partners have been making adjustments to be able to meet that demand. One thing that has been put in place is more support on weekends, so there's a third party at the McNabb Centre now offering tests."
Etches adds the Montfort Hospital will be adding weekend hours at the COVID-19 Care and Testing Centre at the Ray Friel Centre.
The Ottawa COVID-19 Testing Centre is also exploring different innovations, including do-it-yourself testing at the centres and take home tests at Ottawa schools. Earlier this week, Etches told the Board of Health that approximately 127 Ottawa schools now have take-home tests for students and staff with COVID-19 symptoms.
The medical officer of health is also urging people to cancel appointments if they no longer need it or can't make it to a testing clinic.
"Sometimes we're seeing, even up to 25 per cent of the time, people aren't keeping those appointments. If people aren't able to make the appointment, we do recommend that people cancel their booking to make room for others."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Foreign meddling 'did not affect' overall federal election results: inquiry report
Foreign interference by China did not affect the overall results of the 2019 and 2021 general elections won by Justin Trudeau's Liberals, a commission of inquiry has found.
WATCH LIVE Funeral today for broadcasting legend and voice of 'Hockey Night in Canada' Bob Cole
A funeral is being held today for hockey broadcasting legend Bob Cole in his hometown of St. John's, N.L.
Magnitude 4.8 earthquake recorded west of Vancouver Island
A 4.8-magnitude earthquake was reported west of Vancouver Island Thursday evening.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
How falling for a stranger she met on a beach led this woman to ditch the U.S. for the French Riviera
Niki Benjamin, from the U.S., had travelled to a paradise island to do some soul searching, and her life ended up going in a very different direction when her dog ran up to a stranger.
Biscuits with possible plastic pieces, metal found in ground pork: Here are the recalls for this week
Here are the latest recalls Canadians should watch out for, according to Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Supreme Court orders new trial for B.C. francophone who was not given French option
The Supreme Court is ordering a new trial for a francophone man in British Columbia who says he was not informed of his right to have a trial in the official language of his choice.
Princess Anne to take part in B.C. ceremony bringing new ship into Pacific fleet
The first Arctic and Offshore Patrol Vessel for Canada's Pacific fleet will officially be commissioned in a ceremony featuring Princess Anne, the sister of King Charles.