According to Kingston Health Sciences Centre, as COVID-19 instances rise in the KFL&A health region, testing at the Beechgrove assessment center has increased.
The KFL&A health unit reported 199 active cases in Kingston as of Thursday, a new high for the city. Half of the cases that have been identified have been connected to community spread.
At the Beechgrove facility, around 450 tests were conducted each day over the course of the month. Over the previous week, that number has grown to more than 600 every day, with a large number of children among them, according to KHSC.
To deal with increased testing demand, KHSC has been adding evening appointments to its daily 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. schedule.
It’s encouraging people to check for slots daily if they need a test. At this time, the Beechgrove site is not accepting walk-ins.
KHSC also requests that anyone who is unable to keep their scheduled appointment cancel it so that others may use it.
The province unveiled a COVID-19 winter vaccination strategy on Thursday, which includes a holiday mobile testing blitz, low-barrier testing alternatives for elementary and secondary school pupils, and enhanced testing access through pharmacies.
The Kingston Health Sciences Centre (KHSC) is hoping that the additional measures, particularly the take-home tests and testing at specific pharmacies, would help to ease the burden at the Kingston assessment centre.
Source_ The Canadian Press
