LONDON, ON – It will be business as usual at London’s COVID-19 Assessment Centres for the Civic Holiday weekend, with the facilities maintaining regular hours of operation. The Assessment Centre at the Carling Heights Optimist Community Centre, located at 656 Elizabeth Street in London will be open Saturday, Sunday and Monday from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., while the Oakridge Arena location at 825 Valetta (which is usually closed Saturday and Sunday) will be open on Holiday Monday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The COVID-19 Assessment Centres, operated by the London Health Sciences Centre, St. Joseph’s Health Care London, the Thames Valley Family Health Team, the Middlesex-London EMS, the Middlesex-London Health Unit and the City of London, have seen more than 45,000 clients since the beginning of April.

Anyone may go to either of the two London locations to be assessed for COVID-19 testing; there is no medication or treatment onsite at either of the Assessment Centres. Testing is also available for those requiring test results before visiting loved ones residing in Long-Term Care Homes or Retirement Residences.

While COVID-19 is a virus that affects the respiratory system, anyone who has severe respiratory illness, or is experiencing a medical emergency should go to hospital or call 9-1-1.

Signs of severe respiratory illness include:

• Shortness of breath/unable to catch your breath
• Severe fever that does not come down with Tylenol/acetaminophen
• Energy so low that you are physically unable to get out of bed or barely able and must rest again immediately

Follow @MLHealthunit on Twitter for updates about the wait times at both the Carling Heights Optimist Community Centre and Oakridge Arena Assessment Centres.

Media Contact:
Dan Flaherty, Communications Manager, Middlesex-London Health Unit,
519-617-0570

Spokesperson:
Dr. Alex Summers, Associate Medical Officer of Health, Middlesex-London Health Unit