The North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit is concerned with the area's increasing case count, but lower rates of testing.
"Although the Health Unit’s case count remains low compared to other areas of the province, the district has seen a continued increase in reported cases in our region since around the beginning of April," says a news release. "At the same time, testing rates across our district have been lower than usual since mid-March. This means there are likely more cases in the community than are reported in the district numbers, and we must continue to work together as a district to help slow the spread."
Eight new cases were reported yesterday.
See: COVID spike. Eight new cases today, all from Parry Sound area
"Certainly since schools have been closed, we saw a decrease in testing following the school closures but apart from that I am not sure whether there is an element of complacency involved, so we will take this opportunity where we are seeing this drop, just to remind people," explained Dr. Carol Zimbalatti, Public Health Physician.
"it is still very important if you do have any symptoms that may be COVID-19 to - at the very least - self-isolate until you take that self-assessment that is available on the provincial website to determine whether you do need a test or whether you need to seek further care."
"Individuals are not to self-diagnose their symptoms,” explains Dr. Jim Chirico Medical Officer of Health.
Anyone who wishes to be tested can book an appointment at any of the Assessment Centres in or near our district.
North Bay COVID-19 Assessment Centre
There are two options when you are making your appointment to be tested for COVID-19:
- Assessment Centre - located at the west end of North Bay Regional Health Centre (NBRHC) with parking in public lot 9.
- Drive-through option for asymptomatic testing - located at the west entrance of NBRHC.
- Children 8 years old and under, along with anyone with COVID symptoms, is recommended to book a COVID test in the Main Assessment Clinic, not Drive-through, so a physician or nurse can do a clinical assessment at the same time as the COVID swab. A physician is on-site during all clinic hours and is able to swab infants and children under 2 years old as well.
Book an appointment: 705-474-8600 ext. 4110
Location: North Bay Regional Health Centre, 50 College Dr., North Bay
Almaguin (East Parry Sound Mobile Assessment Centre)
Book an appointment: 705-774-8378
Location: South River Ambulance Base, 11313 Hwy 124, South River
Huntsville COVID-19 Assessment Centre
Book an appointment: 1-888-383-7009; press 2 for Huntsville
Location: Active Living Centre, 20 Park Drive, Huntsville
Mattawa COVID-19 Assessment Centre
Book an appointment: 705-744-5511 ext. 3010
Location: Hôpital de Mattawa Hospital, 217 Turcotte Pk Rd, Mattawa
West Nipissing COVID-19 Assessment Centre
Book an appointment: 705-580-2186
Location: 219 O’Hara St., Sturgeon Falls
West Parry Sound COVID-19 Assessment Centre
For people with COVID-19 symptoms, call 705-746-4540 ext. 5030 to book an appointment.
For people who do not have symptoms of COVID-19, call 705-746-4540 ext. 5036 to book an appointment.
Location: 70 Joseph St., Unit 105-106, Parry Sound,
