Windsor Regional Hospital's COVID-19 centre now treating all respiratory woes - Windsor Star

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As the number of respiratory troubles continue to rise locally for people of all ages, Windsor Regional Hospital is redirecting its COVID-19 clinical assessment centre at Ouellette Campus to also include assessments for any patients suffering from influenza-like illness.

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The centre as of Monday was renamed the Adult and Paediatric Respiratory Care Centre. Anyone with concerns about the severity of their symptoms is being asked to book an appointment in a bid to ease pressures on area emergency room departments.

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"We are in a season where it's not just COVID-19, but also RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) and influenza cases are increasing," said Steve Erwin, the hospital's communications director. "Staff at the centre will deal with any of the symptoms and give people the proper assessment they need."

Those suffering with respiratory illness are still being asked to first contact their family physician or nurse practitioner before considering the assessment centre, he said.

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"The centre is for adults and paediatric patients, as well," Erwin said. "We are another option, but your family physician is closer to home and quicker. We are trying to help where we can as respiratory season starts to peak."

The centre will be open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. seven days a week, but patients can not walk in and must first book an appointment. You can do so online at wrh.on.ca/OnlineBooking or by calling 519-973-4443.

Essex-Windsor EMS ambulances wait at the emergency room entrance at Windsor Regional Hospital's Met Campus on Oct. 17, 2022.
Essex-Windsor EMS ambulances wait at the emergency room entrance at Windsor Regional Hospital's Met Campus on Oct. 17, 2022. Photo by Dax Melmer /Windsor Star

Phones are answered on Monday to Friday between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Everyone should their health card ready.

The emergency departments at both Windsor Regional hospital campuses continue to see heightened demand — in part due to ongoing influenza-related issues.

Patients with respiratory issues are asked to preferably use the assessment centre instead of ER unless they feel their health issues are critical and require immediate medical treatment, Erwin said.

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"If you feel a situation qualifies as an emergency room issue go there, but if it's just symptoms and you want to know what to do next, this is a new alternative," he said.

  1. Essex-Windsor EMS ambulances are shown outside Leamington's Erie Shores HealthCare on July 2, 2020.

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  2. A flu shot is administered in Calgary, Alberta, on Oct. 17, 2022.

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  3. Pedestrians with and without masks walk in downtown Toronto in April 2022.

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Other options include visiting a urgent care or walk-in clinic. Those with health concerns can also call Health Connect Ontario at 811 to speak with a registered nurse 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The Windsor Family Health Team is also currently accepting new patients. For more information, look online at windsorfht.ca or call 519-250-5656.

Hospital officials have also noted how reliable information online for parents about health care for children can be found through TREKK (Translating Emergency Knowledge for Kids) which can be found at trekk.ca/parentsandfamilies.

dbattagello@postmedia.com

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