New site will help to accommodate higher-than-usual COVID-19 testing volumes now being seen

Peterborough, ON – In response to higher-than-usual testing volumes over the last week, Peterborough’s drive-through COVID-19 testing centre will relocate to Eastgate Memorial Park at 2150 Ashburnham Drive in East City effective, Monday, September 21. Operating hours for the testing site will remain the same: Monday to Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

The move to this new location will help to accommodate higher-than-normal testing volumes seen at the drive-through since Labour Day. On Tuesday, September 15, more than 420 people were tested.

Lines at testing centres in communities across Ontario have grown longer in recent days, and testing capacity is limited in many areas. People should first seek testing options within the area where they live, work, or attend school.

Peterborough’s drive-through testing centre is intended for people who do not have symptoms of COVID-19.If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, please contact PRHC’s Assessment Centre directly by phone at 705-876-5086 to determine whether an appointment is required. If you have been advised to be tested due to an exposure, please seek testing and follow public health recommendations to self-isolate or self-monitor.

The final day of operations at Northcrest Arena will be Friday, September 18. When visiting the testing centre, please bring your Ontario Health Card and driver’s license with you if you have them. You can access your test results using your Ontario Health Card number on the provincial online portal at https://covid-19.ontario.ca/ or by calling your healthcare provider.

The drive-through testing centre is led by Peterborough Paramedics with support from PRHC, the City of Peterborough and Peterborough Public Health, and will continue to be provided for those without COVID-19 symptoms on a first-come, first-served basis. This community service will continue to be evaluated and may adjust operations based on demand.

For more information and updates related to COVID-19 in the Peterborough region, please visit https://www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca/. Visit Ontario’s website to learn more about how the provincial government is working to protect Ontarians from COVID-19.

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For more information:

Michelene Ough, Director, Communications, Peterborough Regional Health Centre, mough@prhc.on.ca

Craig Jones, Superintendent Community Projects & Emergency Management, Peterborough County/City Paramedics, CJones@ptbocounty.ca

Brittany Cadence, Communications Manager, Peterborough Public Health, bcadence@peterboroughpublichealth.ca

Brendan Wedley, Manager of Communication Services, City of Peterborough, bwedley@peterborough.ca