KHSC update on Beechgrove and drive thru testing

Kingston Health Sciences Centre (KHSC) released a statement today, Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2020, asking those who need to be tested at the COVID-19 Community Assessment Centre (AC) at the Beechgrove Complex, to avoid lining up before the daily 9 a.m. opening.

“Vehicle line-ups create traffic congestion on a roadway that must remain accessible for other organizations using the same property, including Providence Care Hospital,” KHSC said in the release. “Line-ups also cause a rush at the start of the day instead of the steady flow required for our Assessment Centre team to serve you efficiently and effectively.”

KHSC also wishes to remind the public that the provincial testing guidelines have been updated by The Government of Ontario and at this time, residents should only seek testing at an assessment centre if they are showing COVID-19 symptoms; have been exposed to a confirmed case of the virus as informed by a public health unit or exposure notification through the COVID Alert app; are a resident or work in a setting that has a COVID-19 outbreak as identified and informed by a public health unit; or are eligible for testing as part of a targeted provincial government initiative.

“While the drive-thru option works comfortably and quickly, we are not in a position to offer it on a daily basis yet due to factors such as staff capacity and weather,” explained Elizabeth Bardon, KHSC’s vice-president of mission, strategy integration and support services. “However, we continue to actively explore all options to help manage volumes at the Assessment Centre, including drive-thru and evaluating potential for booked appointments in future.”

There have been sustained and increased numbers of people coming to the Community Assessment Centre at the Beechgrove location. KHSC says their priorities are swabbing patients and managing line-ups to serve the public as quickly as possible, so they are asking that community members exercise courtesy and patience while waiting for and throughout testing.

Please note that due to very high volumes today, Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2020, the AC in Kingston had reached its capacity as of mid-afternoon and closed for the day. Again, KHSC asks that residents do not arrive or line up prior to 9 a.m. to help avoid a backlog in service throughout the day.

KHSC thanks everyone for their cooperation as we work together to slow the spread of COVD-19 in our community and beyond.