Holiday Closure: The Bracebridge Assessment Centre will be closed on Monday, February 21 for Family Day.
Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare operates a COVID-19 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 Bracebridge Assessment Centre, please follow public health measures, including wearing a face covering and maintaining physical distance from others. At the Bracebridge 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 will be tested at a COVID-19 assessment centre?
To prioritize those who are at the greatest risk of COVID-19, the Ministry of Health issued updated provincial testing guidance on December 30, 2021. The new eligibility criteria preserves testing capacity for those at highest risk of contracting COVID-19. Those considered to be at highest risk include:
- patient-facing healthcare workers;
- staff, residents, essential care providers, and visitors in hospitals and congregate living settings, including long-term care, retirement homes, First Nation elder care lodges, group homes, shelters, hospices, temporary foreign worker settings, and correctional institutions;
- people who are from First Nation, Inuit, and Métis communities and individuals travelling into these communities for work;
- individuals aged 70 years or older who are not fully vaccinated and who are at the highest risk of severe disease;
- Indigenous people aged 60 years or older at the highest risk of severe disease and/or has additional risk factors;
- symptomatic dialysis patients;
- surgical patients instructed to be tested prior to surgery;
- underhoused or homeless individuals;
- household members of workers in highest risk setting;
- pregnant people;
- first responders including fire, police and paramedics.
Testing for asymptomatic contacts of cases is no longer recommended, except for high-risk contacts/individuals that are part of confirmed or suspected outbreaks in high-risk settings, as recommended by public health. Individuals with symptoms of COVID-19 can be presumed to be infected with COVID-19 and should initiate timely self-isolation to prevent transmission in the community and follow these steps.
Positive rapid antigen tests no longer require PCR confirmation.
Medical Assessment for COVID or Influenza-Like Illness
People who are unwell with COVID symptoms and/or respiratory symptoms and feel they require an assessment by a physician but are not eligible for testing as per eligibility requirements may book an appointment with a physician in the Assessment Centre, dependent on the physician’s availability. Please note, this would be for assessment only and testing/swabbing would not be completed.
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 Bracebridge 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.
- Access is from Ann Street in Bracebridge, follow the signs.
- Continue past the visitor parking lot and veer right toward the Emergency Entrance. Continue on the one-way driveway past the Emergency Entrance.
- 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).
- Park in one of the reserved parking spaces on the left side of the parking lot.
- When leaving, turn right out of the parking lot (don’t go out through the one-way driveway).
- 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.
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