Peterborough, ON – With respiratory illness season upon us, Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC), Peterborough Family Health Team (PFHT) and Peterborough Public Health (PPH) are asking residents to consider their healthcare options in the community before seeking care in the Emergency Department (ED).

With mounting seasonal pressures being felt at PRHC, we encourage our community members to assess the urgency of their condition and consider alternative options. If you have a family doctor or nurse practitioner, they should be contacted first with non-urgent health concerns. Your healthcare provider may offer same-day appointments. PFHT-affiliated physicians also offer extended-hours clinics to serve patients with non-urgent health concerns. Learn more about the extended hours service.

If you don’t have a primary care provider, a list of options, including regular and after-hours services offered by PFHT and other primary care providers; virtual care clinics; PRHC’s Pediatric Urgent Care (POP) Clinic; walkin clinics; and Health 811, can be found here: https://bit.ly/47cEGNg.

PRHC’s ED is available 24/7 for patients who need emergency care.

Flu and COVID-19 vaccines are available for anyone over the age the age of six (6) months. PRHC does not offer these vaccines to members of the community. Find information about COVID-19 and flu vaccines online or by reaching out to your local pharmacy.

Residents are advised to check Peterborough Public Health’s COVID-19 and Other Respiratory Virus Risk Index for guidance on staying safe during holiday gatherings. Consider borrowing a CO2 monitor from your local library to monitor indoor air quality to prevent the spread of respiratory infections. This holiday season, please stay home if you are ill to prevent spreading infections to friends and loved ones.

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For more information:

Michelene Ough, Director, Communications, PRHC | mough@prhc.on.ca

Renee MacKenzie, Communications Officer & Operations Support, Peterborough Family Health Team | renee.mackenzie@peterboroughfht.com

Media Relations, Peterborough Public Health | media@peterboroughpublichealth.ca