Here's how to book a COVID-19 test in Ottawa online
CBC News | Posted: October 6, 2020 12:21 AM | Last Updated: October 6, 2020
Online bookings available at all assessment and care centres in Ottawa
People in Ottawa can start booking COVID-19 tests at all assessment and care centres as of Monday evening, the Ottawa COVID-19 testing taskforce says.
Last week, the province announced it would be transitioning to an online booking system starting Tuesday. Several test sites in eastern Ontario closed Monday in order to switch over.
Here are all the testing locations in Ottawa now available by appointment:
- Brewer Arena (every day 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.)
- CHEO assessment centre at Brewer Arena (every day 8:30 a.m. to 7 :30 p.m.)
- Coventry Road drive-thru assessment centre (every day 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.)
- Moodie Drive care clinic (weekdays 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.)
- Heron Road care clinic (weekdays 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.)
Appointment slots for the Moodie and Heron locations start at 6 p.m. Monday, and slots for Brewer Arena are available starting at 8:30 p.m.
According to Ottawa Public Health (OPH), people are eligible to get a test at one of those assessment or care centres if they show symptoms of COVID-19, have been exposed to a confirmed case, are a resident or staff member at a facility with an outbreak or if they are part of a targeted testing initiative directed by Ontario's ministries of Health or Long-Term Care.
OPH says instructions for accessing online booking for these centres is available on its website.
Booking for those without internet access
The Ottawa COVID-19 testing task force, made up of OPH along with regional labs and hospitals, says testing sites will have a phone number that so that people lacking internet can call to book appointments.
"Please note that there are a limited amount of phone bookings and it is to be used for those without internet access," it said in a news release Monday, adding people should not go to emergency departments for tests.
A "very limited number of spots" will be held for same-day appointments for those reasons, said the task force.
Those without internet can call 613-721-4722 for the Moodie site, 613-288-5354 for the Heron site, and 613-737-7600 ext. 3078 for CHEO's team.
Ottawa's medical officer of health Vera Etches said OPH is working to make sure everyone who needs a test can get one.
"It's something we'll have to monitor. There are certainly other initiatives underway for people who don't have a computer," she said.
Etches also said she expects the demand for testing to drop with stricter requirements for testing.