'Underserved' east end needs COVID-19 testing site, politicians say
MPP Stephen Blais, 3 east-end councillors penned letter to Ottawa Hospital
Several east-end politicians are asking The Ottawa Hospital to open a COVID-19 testing centre in their part of Ottawa, an area they say is currently underserved.
Orléans MPP Stephen Blais, along with councillors Matthew Luloff, Tim Tierney and Laura Dudas, wrote to the hospital's CEO, Cameron Love, two weeks ago asking for an assessment centre in the city's east end.
There are currently three testing sites in Ottawa, including the Brewer Arena in Old Ottawa South, but people have complained they've been forced to wait in line for hours.
"It's relatively imminent when we'll have a site identified and announced," Luloff said.
Dr. Alan Forster, the hospital's vice-president for innovation and quality, told CBC Radio's Ottawa Morning told CBC Radio's Ottawa Morning last week that a number of sites are currently being considered, including in the east end.
Forster said he hopes to have a new centre up and running before students return to school Sept. 3.
Luloff said the east end needs a testing centre because it's difficult for seniors and others with mobility issues to make it to the current sites, which are all located closer to Ottawa's downtown and west end.
"I'm hearing stories of people lining up and waiting quite some time for a test. I think that, you know, offering further capacity in the east will alleviate some of that pressure," he said.
Orléans MPP Stephen Blais agreed, calling the city's east end is currently "underserved."
He named a number of sites that could work for a new centre, including near Place d'Orléans mall, at the old Cumberland town hall, or various locations along Innes Road.
Blais said any new site must be located along public transit routes and have sufficient parking, and also be able to accommodate a testing centre for the foreseeable future.
"We believe that COVID will be in the community for some time still, and [hospital staff] want to ensure that if they open a location ... they can keep it open."
With files from CBC Radio's Ottawa morning and Radio-Canada's Yasmine Mehdi
