Ottawa parents scramble for COVID-19 testing appointments
With parents scrambling to find COVID-19 testing appointments for their children in the capital this weekend, Ottawa's COVID-19 Testing Taskforce says more appointments for children will open up at the Brewer Arena as staffing levels increase.
The taskforce overseeing COVID-19 testing in the capital says it is working to secure the staffing and resources needed to "rapidly expand and meet the increasing testing demands", including other testing options.
A long line with a two-hour wait was reported at a new pop-up COVID-19 Testing Clinic set up at the McNabb Arena on Percy Street Saturday afternoon.
"Every other testing option, you had appointments and it wasn't until like three-four days from now, that's a little too late," said Jason Perrier.
Parents tell CTV News Ottawa they were waiting to get COVID-19 tests for their young children, so they can return to the classroom.
"Everyone is doing their best, but the idea that they close the testing centres on weekends and only doing pop-ups the first week back to school - It seems counterproductive to me," said Samantha Franklin.
Ottawa Public Health announced the walk-in clinic at the McNabb Arena would be open Saturday, Sunday and Monday to provide another testing option.
Parents have also complained about a lack of same day appointments for testing at the CHEO Assessment Centre at Brewer Arena. On Friday morning, one parent said the earliest appointment for a COVID-19 test at the CHEO Assessment Centre at Brewer Arena was Sunday morning.
As of 3 p.m. Saturday, the earliest appointment for a COVID-19 test at the CHEO Assessment Centre was Monday afternoon. Both the COVID-19 testing facility for adults at Brewer Arena and the COVID-19 Drive-Thru Clinic at the Ottawa Baseball Stadium have appointments available on Sunday.
The Ottawa COVID-19 Testing Taskforce says approximately 100 new appointments were opened up on Friday at the Brewer Arena.
"CHEO Brewer handles approximately 400 tests per day and have opened an additional 80 spots for Saturday, Sunday, and Monday morning," said the Ottawa COVID-19 Testing Taskforce in a statement to CTV News Ottawa late Friday afternoon.
"Slots open up as they can once staffing is secured or as people cancel their appointments. To avoid delays, we encourage those who are seeking testing to check frequently for updated times."
Ottawa's COVID-19 assessment centres and care clinics have a capacity to test about 2,000 people each weekday, with fewer tests performed on weekends.
The CHEO Assessment Centre and Kids Come First Care Clinic at Brewer Arena is open for children ages two months to 18 years old. The COVID-19 care and testing centres on Moodie Drive and at the Ray Friel Centre offer testing to anyone over six months old Monday to Friday. The COVID-19 Drive-Thru Assessment Centre at the Ottawa Baseball Stadium on Coventry Road offers testing for anyone 10 and older.
Testing for children older than six months is also available at the Centretown Community Health Centre and the Sandy Hill Community Health Centre.
"We want to thank the community for their patience as we work to secure the staffing and resources needed to rapidly expand and meet the increasing testing demands," said the Ottawa COVID-19 Testing Taskforce.
"As the demand for testing services has been increasing, we continue to successfully provide ongoing testing services across Ottawa. Assessment centres have extended hours of operation, test results are being received within 48 hours and testing options are being explored."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Iran fires air defence batteries in provinces as explosions heard near Isfahan
Iran fired air defence batteries early Friday morning as explosions could be heard near a major air base near Isfahan, raising fears of a possible Israeli strike following Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.