Ottawa expands COVID-19 testing with do-it-yourself option for parents
Ottawa's COVID-19 testing centres are extending hours and CHEO is now offering parents a do-it-yourself testing kit for children as demand for testing spikes this fall.
Parents have been complaining about a lack of available appointments to get a COVID-19 test immediately, with some waiting up to two days for an available appointment.
The COVID-19 CHEO Assessment Centre and Kids Come First Care Clinic at Brewer Park Arena has administered 450 to 500 tests a day this week.
CHEO announced on Twitter that it now offers a do-it-yourself test kit, available for children ages two months to 18 years-old.
"The swab is gentle and easy to do," said CHEO on Twitter.
Parents can choose a date and time to pick-up the kit from the CHEO Assessment Centre at Brewer Arena.
Earlier this week, medical officer of health Dr. Vera Etches said the Ottawa COVID-19 Testing Taskforce is looking at several options to boost testing capacity, especially for children.
The CHEO Assessment Centre at Brewer Park Arena is working to have 450-to-500 in-person testing slots available each day.
A temporary COVID-19 Assessment Centre is now open at McNabb Arena until at least Sept. 29 for COVID-19 testing for residents six months of age and older. You can book an appointment through the Ottawa Public Health website.
The Moodie COVID-19 Care and Testing Centre will be open on Saturday, Sept. 25 and Oct. 2 from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
The Ray Friel COVID-19 Care and Testing Centre will also be open for COVID-19 testing this Sunday, Sept. 26 from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.
The Ottawa Public Health website outlines the instructions for the pick-up Do-It-Yourself COVID-19 Test Kit at the CHEO Clinic:
- Appointments can only be booked for children and youth over two months of age and under 18 years old.
- You will receive a kit with supplies, instructions and a sample registration form for you and your child to complete in the car or at home, and then drop off at the assessment centre.
A note on the website says, "We have a very limited number of walk-up appointments available to get kits. These are meant for people who don’t have access to the online booking system."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Latest updates on air quality alerts, and when the smoke may reach Ontario and Quebec
Wildfires have led Environment Canada to issue air quality advisories for parts of B.C., Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories, as forecasters warn the smoke could drift farther east.
Are these Canada's best restaurants? Annual top 100 list revealed
The annual list of Canada's top restaurants in the country was just released and here are the places that made the 2024 cut.
Ellen DeGeneres addresses the 'hurtful' end of her talk show in new stand-up set
Ellen DeGeneres is reflecting on how her talk show came to an end in her newest Netflix special, 'Ellen's Last Stand ... Up Tour.'
Steal a car, lose your driver's licence under new Ontario proposal
Repeat car thieves may face lengthy licence bans under proposed changes to Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act.
B.C. brings in law on name changes on day that child killer's new identity revealed
The BC NDP have tabled legislation aimed at stopping people who have committed certain heinous acts from changing their names.
What to pack during an emergency
Knowing what to have at home, or take with you for an evacuation, can be useful and even life-saving.
Significant police presence as Israeli flag flies at Ottawa City Hall
The Israeli flag is flying at Ottawa City Hall today to mark the country's national day, with plans to hold a private ceremony to mark Israel's Independence Day. There is a significant police presence at City Hall, including security barriers outside the main doors.
Hot history: Tree rings show that last northern summer was the warmest since year 1
The broiling summer of 2023 was the hottest in the Northern Hemisphere in more than 2,000 years, a new study found.
Regulated area for invasive box tree moth expanded to parts of the Maritimes
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has added much of the Maritimes to a regulated area for an invasive species.