COVID-19 Assessment Centre

Novel coronavirus assessment centre

Last revised - March 27, 2020

COVID-19 Assessment Centre

The first COVID-19 Assessment Centre is now open. The COVID-19 Assessment Centre is an out-of-hospital clinic where people will be assessed by a health-care provider and tested for COVID-19 if required. It is operated by The Ottawa Hospital (TOH) and CHEO, in partnership with Ottawa Public Health (OPH) and the City of Ottawa.

You should come to the Assessment Centre, not the Emergency Department, if:

  • You have a new or worsening cough and/or fever, and
  • In the past 14 days have either travelled outside of Canada or been in contact with someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19.

Patients who meet the criteria above will be tested for COVID-19, which involves taking a sample from the throat or nose with a swab.

Important: You do NOT need to contact Ottawa Public Health before going to an assessment centre.

Location and hours:

Brewer Park Arena
151 Brewer Way
Accessed from Bronson Avenue opposite Carleton University
Open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily

 Frequently asked questions about the assessment centre

Where is the COVID-19 Assessment Centre? 
  • The COVID-19 Assessment Centre is located at the Brewer Park Arena at 151 Brewer Way, accessed from Bronson Avenue opposite Carleton University. Follow signage for parking.
When should I go to the COVID-19 Assessment Centre?
You should come to the COVID-19 Assessment Centre, not the Emergency Department, if:
  • You have a new or worsening cough and/or fever, and
  • In the past 14 days have either travelled outside of Canada or been in contact with someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19.
When is the COVID-19 Assessment Centre open?
  • The COVID-19 Assessment Centre is open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. If you are symptomatic after the Centre is closed and you do not need emergency care, please continue to self-isolate and wait to go to the Centre the next morning.
  • If you need emergency care at any time, please go to your nearest emergency department or call 9-1-1. 
Does everyone returning from international travel (including the United States of America) need to visit the COVID-19 Assessment Centre?
  • No. You should only visit the Assessment Centre if you have a fever and/or a new or worsening cough and have travelled within the past 14 days. Otherwise, please continue to check and follow updated guidance on OttawaPublicHealth.ca/Coronavirus
If my symptoms are serious, should I still go to the COVID-19 Assessment Centre?
  • No. If you are in distress (e.g. significant trouble breathing, chest pain, fainting, or have a significant worsening of any chronic disease symptoms), do not go to the Assessment Centre. Go to the nearest Emergency Department or call 9-1-1.
Do I need to call Ottawa Public Health or call the COVID-19 Assessment Centre before coming in?
 No, you do not need to call ahead. You can come directly to the Assessment Centre if:
  • You have a new or worsening cough and/or fever AND
  • Have returned from travel or been in contact with someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 in the past 14 days.
  • If you are a health-care provider who needs to report a possible case of COVID-19, or who has questions about clinical practice, please call Ottawa Public Health at 613-580-6744 or visit Ottawa Public Health’s COVID-19 webpage for Health Care Providers.
Can I come to the COVID-19 Assessment Centre if I am not a resident of Ontario?
  • Please follow instructions from your local health authority. Other regional health authorities outside of Ottawa are working on screening and assessment strategies.
How should I travel to the Assessment Centre?
  • Individuals should be taking their own personal vehicles to the assessment centre with no unnecessary passengers. If this is not possible, they should be taking a method of transport that minimizes their exposure to other people such as a taxi or rideshare. They should be sitting in the rear seat passenger side, wear a mask, ensure the window is down and take note of the transportation information (e.g.: taxi number, date & time). 
What do I need to bring with me if I go to the COVID-19 Assessment Centre ?
  • Please bring your Ontario health card, a list of your current medications, and anything else that you might need while you wait to be assessed. Wait times will depend patient volume but may be several hours.
Can my child be assessed at the COVID-19 Assessment Centre ?
  • Yes. The COVID-19 Assessment Centre will have pediatric health-care providers from CHEO who can assess and test both children older than six months and adults. Do not bring your child if they are well and do not need to be screened.
  • Important: Children under six months should go to the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario.
Should I come to the COVID-19 Assessment Centre if I am an older adult or if I have a suppressed immune system?
  •  Yes. Everyone will sanitize their hands and put on a mask immediately on arriving at the Centre.
What is the COVID-19 Assessment Centre process?
  • When you arrive at the Assessment Centre, you will be screened for travel and contact history and symptoms upon arrival.
  • If you are symptomatic, and have either have returned from travel, or been in contact with someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 in the past 14 days, you will be assessed by a health care provider and tested for COVID-19 if required.
  • The test involves taking a sample from the back of the nasal cavity with a swab.
  • Your health-care provider and Ottawa Public Health will follow up with those who test positive with results and further instruction will be provided.
How will the COVID-19 Assessment Centre keep patients safe?
  • Areas for screening and assessment will be kept separate to reduce the risk of spreading infection.
  • Everyone will be asked to sanitize their hands and put on a mask at the Centre entrance.
  • Please also be mindful to avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth unless you have just cleaned your hands.
If I was tested, how long does it take to get results?
It usually takes approximately 7 days to receive test results for COVID-19. Please continue to self-isolate while awaiting test results. 
Will my results be confidential?
  • Yes. Your personal health information is protected under Ontario’s Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA).
  • The following information will be reported on The Ministry of Health of Ontario’s website:
    • Patient age and gender
    • Public Health Unit
    • Hospital involved
    • Type of transmission
    • Status (eg. Home isolation)
I am a primary care physician, should I direct patients to the COVID-19 Assessment Centre ?
  • Yes. If you have a patient who meets the criteria for attending the COVID-19 Assessment Centre (new or worsening cough and/or fever, recent travel history, contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19), and you are unable to assess or test them in your clinic, please direct that patient to the Assessment Centre.

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