OLD OTTAWA SOUTH – Ottawa’s first COVID-19 Assessment Centre is now open and ready to screen.

“Ottawa Public Health (OPH) is taking proactive measures in the COVID-19 response by partnering with The Ottawa Hospital and CHEO to open a COVID-19 Assessment Centre,” city staff released in a statement today (March 13). “The arena will be used exclusively for the purpose of COVID-19 assessments and testing.”

 The first COVID-19 Assessment Centre is now open at the Brewer Arena, located at 151 Brewer Way. The facility will be open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., daily. Additional COVID-19 Assessment Centres may open later as needed.

The centre will be operated in collaboration with The Ottawa Hospital and CHEO — serving the larger public health needs of Ottawa. It will provide assessment and testing for children and adults.

The Assessment Centre is for individuals who have:

Returned from international travel AND are displaying symptoms associated with COVID-19, including:

fever and/or new or worsening cough or had contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19 in the past 14 days and are displaying symptoms associated with COVID-19, including a fever and/or new or worsening cough.

Do not bring well children or other healthy members of the community (e.g. friends, neighbours, drivers) into the Assessment Centre.

All City of Ottawa community-based and recreational activities are redirected from Brewer Arena to other locations. The only residents using the arena will be those seeking assessments. This will ensure there is no cross-contact between facility users and those who are requesting assessments. There is no risk to the surrounding community. Currently, Brewer Pool remains open.

For more coronavirus (COVID-19) information, visit ottawapublichealth.ca.