Hamilton ups capacity of COVID-19 testing centres as school year nears

Hamilton | Ontario | COVID |

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Published August 31, 2021 at 5:47 pm

One of the City of Hamilton's two COVID-19 testing and assessment centres is located at 690 Main St. W. (file photo)

The City of Hamilton is increasing capacity at both of its COVID-19 testing and assessment centres as it prepares for an increased demand with students returning to school.

Hours have been expanded at the St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton Mountain COVID-19 testing centre located at Mohawk College (135 Fennell Ave. W.). The site, which is capable of testing 1,000 people per day, is now open seven days a week — 8 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. from Monday to Friday, and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. This site has capacity to test 1,000 tests daily.

The West End assessment centre at 690 Main St. W. will resume seven-day-a-week operations on Wednesday (Sept. 1). It open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. A city release said it will begin with a capacity of 200 tests daily and build toward 500.

Symptomatic testing will also continue to take place to assist vulnerable populations such as those in long-term care facilities and retirement homes, and individuals who are unhoused.

Hamilton Paramedic Service is overseeing mobile testing for those who are homebound, in addition to offering it in areas with low vaccine uptake and high COVID-19 rates.

Residents can visit HamiltonCovidTest.ca for more information on COVID-19 testing and how to book an appointment for a test in Hamilton.

Testing centres only test those who fall within the Ontario provincial guidelines. They do not provide any swabs or testing required for travel or to attend, participate or gain entry to public events, such as sporting events and concerts.

Asymptomatic testing should be booked at a lab or pharmacy. A list is available on the Ontario government COVID-19 website.

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