COVID-19 Clinical Assessment Centre

HOLIDAY CLOSURE: The COVID-19 Clinical Assessment Centre will be closed for Victoria Day on Monday, May 23, 2022.

Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare operates a COVID-19 Clinical Assessment Centre in Bracebridge, Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., except for statutory holidays.

Testing is by appointment only.  Call 1-888-383-7009 to book your appointment. 

When visiting the COVID-19 Clinical Assessment Centre, please follow public health measures, including wearing a face covering and maintaining physical distance from others.  At the assessment centre, health care professionals will test for COVID-19 based on the most up-to-date guidelines from the Ministry of Health and the health care professional’s assessment.  You will be seen by a health care professional who will provide you with the necessary care instructions, if required.  You are strongly encouraged to follow up with your family doctor or primary care provider so they are also aware you have been tested and may also have access to your results. 

Please note: If your mobility does not permit you to climb four (4) steps, please notify us at the time of booking so alternative arrangements for your swab can be made. 

Who is eligible for PCR or rapid molecular testing?

You are eligible for PCR or rapid molecular testing if you have COVID-19 symptoms and are any of the following:

• a patient-facing health care worker
• a patient in an emergency department, at the discretion of the treating clinician
• a staff member, volunteer, resident, inpatient, essential care provider, or visitor in the highest risk setting
• a home and community care worker
• a student or staff at a Provincial Demonstration School or a hospital school
• someone at higher-risk for severe COVID-19 who would be eligible for outpatient treatment (treatment outside hospital) following an assessment and positive test
• someone who lives with a patient-facing health care worker and/or a worker in the highest risk settings
• an outpatient being considered for COVID-19 treatment
• an outpatient who requires a diagnostic test for clinical management
• a temporary foreign worker living in a congregate setting
• underhoused or experiencing homelessness
• pregnant
• a first responder, including firefighters, police and paramedics
• an elementary or secondary student or education staff who has received a PCR self-collection kit, if available through your school
• other individuals as directed by the local public health unit based on outbreak investigations in high risk settings, etc.

Whether you have symptoms or not, you are eligible for PCR or rapid POC molecular testing if you:

• are an individual from a First Nation, Inuit, Métis community, and/or who self-identifies as First Nation, Inuit, and Métis and their household members
• are an individual travelling into First Nation, Inuit, Métis communities for work
• are being admitted or transferred to or from a hospital or congregate living setting
• are a close contact of someone in a confirmed or suspected outbreak in a highest risk setting, or other settings as directed by the local public health unit
• are scheduled for a surgical procedure requiring general anesthetic in the next 24-48 hours
• have written prior approval for out-of-country medical services from the General Manager of OHIP or are a caregiver for someone who does
• are in a hospital, long-term care, retirement home or other congregate living setting, as directed by public health units, provincial guidance or other directives

If you have symptoms but are not eligible for testing, assume you have COVID-19 and follow the steps for what to do if you’ve been exposed to COVID-19.

Clinical Assessment for COVID or Influenza-Like Illness

Individuals who are unwell with COVID symptoms and/or other respiratory symptoms or are at higher risk of severe COVID-19 should have a clinical assessment within five days of symptom onset to determine eligibility to receive medication treatment therapy.  Antiviral treatments for COVID-19 are available.

Who should visit a clinical assessment centre?

You may book an appointment with a physician in the assessment centre, dependent on the physician’s availability.  You should bring a list of your medication and a list of any important medical conditions to your clinical assessment appointment. 

Individuals at higher risk would include those who are unvaccinated/partially vaccinated or individuals with any of the following risk factors:

• Obesity (BMI >30 kg/m²)
• Diabetes
• Heart disease, hypertension, congestive heart failure
• Chronic respiratory disease, including cystic fibrosis
• Cerebral palsy
• Intellectual disability
• Moderate or severe kidney disease (e.g. Child Pugh Class B or C cirrhosis)
• Unvaccinated pregnant individuals

If you have one or more of the following symptoms, you should immediately call 911 or go to the Emergency Department:

• Severe difficulty breathing (struggling for each breath, can only speak in single words)
• Severe chest pain (constant tightness or crushing sensation)
• Feeling confused or unsure of where you are
• Losing consciousness

Test Results

The assessment centre does not give out test results.  For your test results, visit covid-19.ontario.ca and click on "check your lab results".  Your results may also be available through other laboratory online portals you already subscribe to (e.g. Life Labs, Dynacare).  A test result is usually available in 2-10 days.  If you have not received your test result after 7 days, contact the assessment centre where you were tested.

Location and Parking

The COVID-19 Clinical Assessment Centre is located in a portable at 75 Ann Street in Bracebridge, adjacent to the helipad at the back of the South Muskoka Memorial Hospital property.  It is not located inside the hospital.  

1. Access is from Ann Street in Bracebridge, follow the signs. 
2. Continue past the visitor parking lot and veer right toward the Emergency Entrance. Continue on the one-way driveway past the Emergency Entrance.
3. Proceed straight into the parking lot directly ahead of you. Press the button to take a ticket and raise the parking gates (your parking will be validated by assessment centre staff). 
4. Park in one of the reserved parking spaces on the left side of the parking lot.
5. When leaving, turn right out of the parking lot (don’t go out through the one-way driveway).
6. Continue past the portable to leave the property. At the stop sign, turn right toward Liddard Street.

Other COVID-19 Testing Options

Other testing location options are listed on the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit website or on the Province of Ontario website.

COVID-19 Vaccination

For local information about the COVID-19 vaccine through community clinics, please visit the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit website.