New location for Sioux Lookout COVID-19 Assessment Centre

Reeti Meenakshi Rohilla - Staff Writer

The Sioux Lookout COVID-19 Assessment Centre, which had been operating out of a trailer located in the Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre’s (SLMHC) Main Entrance parking lot, has now moved inside the health centre.
The Assessment Centre, which is operated by SLMHC, was relocated next to the hospital’s emergency entrance on October 13. According to a media statement by SLMHC, the move allows for a separate and secure space in the hospital for the Assessment Centre.
The Assessment Centre continues to be by appointment only. Anyone looking to schedule a test may call (807) 737-5880, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The entrance to the Assessment Centre is next to the emergency department, and is clearly marked for those patients coming for tests.
Director of Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer, Samantha Brooks, mentioned that this move would make access easier and address two challenges, “The first challenge is that with winter upon us, we need to ensure our staff and patients are safe from the elements.  This move will see the Assessment Centre inside the hospital, with its own separate entrance, to ensure we can keep it open during inclement weather.”
The second challenge the move addresses is opening up the health centre’s Main Entrance and adjacent parking lot, “This means we can open our Main Entrance eventually and that patients can use this parking lot to make it easier for them to access our facilities, while reducing foot traffic through the Emergency Entrance during our busier weekday hours,” Brooks informed. She added that the Main Entrance would have screeners in place.
SLMHC shared on social media that,  “As of Oct. 19 the Main Entrance of SLMHC, and the adjacent parking lot, will be open to clients and their care partner who are arriving for outpatient appointments ONLY. All individuals accessing Emergency Services, as well as all inpatient visitors, will continue to enter and be screened at the Emergency Entrance.
“The Main Entrance will be open 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday to Friday. All individuals will be screened for COVID-19 symptoms and will be required to wash their hands and wear a mask while at SLMHC.”
SLMHC shared, “As advised from our regional public health officials, the Northwestern Health Unit, those who have symptoms of COVID-19 or been in contact with someone with a confirmed positive COVID-19 test should schedule their test with the Centre.
“To find out more about COVID-19 symptoms and testing recommendations for our region, please visit http://www.nwhu.on.ca/covid19.
“We remind all patients and visitors coming to the hospital that there are visitor restrictions and screening still underway. To find out about how our services and facilities are impacted by COVID-19, please visit www.slmhc.on.ca/covid19.”