The NSHN Assessment Centre & Oximetry Outreach Programs are now closed.

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The NSHN Assessment Centre & Oximetry Outreach Programs are now closed. 〰️

Press Release

Feb. 16, 2024

After nearly 4 years in operation, the Clinical Assessment Centres – located in Blind River and Thessalon – and the Oximetry Outreach Program operated by the North Shore Health Network (NSHN) will be closing at the end of this month.

The last day for specimen collection at the Centres and intake to the Oximetry Program is Monday February 26 and both will officially close as of March 11, 2024.

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the NSHN Assessment Centres and Oximetry Outreach Program have provided safe and timely access to COVID-19 testing and support through the patient’s healthcare journey after testing positive for COVID-19 or experiencing ongoing respiratory issues.

“I want to thank the Clinical Assessment Centre & Oximetry Outreach Program teams who have worked incredibly hard throughout the pandemic to relieve pressure on emergency departments and to help protect our communities” said Tim Vine, NSHN President & CEO. “It is important to note that COVID is still in our communities, and we urge anyone who feels unwell to continue taking precautions to help limit the spread of respiratory ailments.”

The closure decision comes as funding for the program has not been renewed.

As NSHN continues to work with community partners to prepare for the closure, additional information will be posted on our website: https://www.nshn.care/covid19

For more information on COVID-19 and what to do if you have symptoms, please visit Algoma Public Health’s website here: https://www.algomapublichealth.com/disease-and-illness/infectious-diseases/covid-19/

Testing Options

DISCLAIMER: The following health care resources are provided for informational purposes only and are not affiliated with the North Shore Health Network.

Q: Where can I get tested for COVID-19 in Algoma?

A It is recommended that you do a self-administered home Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) at home.

Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs)

You can use a rapid antigen testing to determine whether you might have COVID-19. Free rapid antigen test kits are available at all Algoma Public Health locations. The kits are free of charge and may be picked up in the reception area during the office hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. While supplies last. Main St Pharmacy, Thessalon also has RATs: 705-842-2322.

Algoma Public Health, office 9B, Lawton St, Blind River, ON P0R 1B0 (located on the highway across from Tim Hortons) (705) 356-2551, TF: 888-356-2551 (within the Algoma district only)

 Algoma Public Health: 302 - 31 Nova Scotia Walk (ELNOS Building), P5A 1Y9 tel: (705) 848-2314, TF: 877-748-2314 (within the Algoma district only) 

Algoma Public Health: Sault Ste. Marie, 294 Willow Avenue, P6B 0A9 tel: (705) 942-4646, TF: 866-892-0172 

 Maamwesying North Shore Community Health Services (www.maamwesying.ca) tel: 705-844-2021

 

If you have one or more of the following symptoms you should immediately call 911 or go to the emergency department:

  • severe difficulty breathing (struggling for each breath, can only speak in single words)

  • severe chest pain (constant tightness or crushing sensation)

  • feeling confused or unsure of where you are

  • losing consciousness

 

What are antiviral treatments and who is eligible for them?

You can use Ontario's COVID-19 antiviral screener to see if you are eligible for antiviral treatment. Antiviral treatments for COVID-19 can help prevent serious illness if taken quickly after symptoms start (within the first few days).

 

You can use this screener even if you do not have symptoms, to be prepared in case you get sick. Learn more about COVID-19 testing and treatment in Ontario.

 

Where do I get treatment?

Contact your Primary Care Provider if you have tested positive for COVID to discuss treatment options.

 

Non-Primary Care Provider COVID Treatment Options for the antiviral Paxlovid:

Although there are no pharmacies in the Northshore area that prescribe antiviral treatment there are many is Sault Ste. Marie that do even if you are not one of their clients:

  • Sault Ste. Marie Pharmacies That Stock and Prescribe Paxlovid

  • Shoppers; 44 Great Northern Rd: 705-949-2143 

  •  Pharma Right: 688 Second Line: 705-949-5050

  • IDA Wellington: 625 Trunk Rd: 705-345-8465

  • IDA: 240 McNabb St: 705-759-5578

  • IDA Urban Square: 197 Trunk Rd: 705-759-4818

  • IDA Wellington Square: Market St/Trunk Rd: 705-945-8088

  • IDA East: 170 East St: 705-450-3784

  • Loblaws Pharmacy Rome’s: 44 Great Northern Rd: 705-253-2887

  • Queen St IDA: 302 Queen St E.: 705-949-7331

  • Market Mall IDA: 275 Second Line: 705-254-7329

  • Medicine Shoppe: 59 Great Northern Rd: 705-942-3752

  • Medicine Shoppe: Dr’s building 955 Queen St; 705-253-3206

  • Adel’s Pharmasave: 773 Great Northern Rd: 705-450-7373

  • Rexall Trunk Rd: Corner of Trunk and Lake St.:  705-253-3256

  • Pharmasave West End: 658 West St: 705-450-2622

  • Rexall Second Line: 13 Second Line W: 705-759-3115

  • Shopper’s Second Line W: 705-345-1215

  • Medicine Shoppe-765 Queen St E: 705-450-7430

 

Non-Pharmacy Options for Paxlovid Treatment

  1. Elliot Lake Family Health Team:   Contact: Shelley Dubois, Nursing Station Point Person, COVID Assessment Coordinator, 705-461-8882 ext 216, s.dubois@ELFHT.ca

  2. North East Region Virtual Care Clinic: To book an appointment with a Nurse Practitioner, call 1-888-684-1999 or visit www.nevirtualcare.ca. The Clinic is open daily, 1:00 pm – 9:00 pm, to support patients who require timely medical care for urgent medical concerns that are not life or limb-threatening. There is no cost for accessing this service.

  3. Sault Ste.  Marie Walk-In/Virtual Clinics

  4. Sault Ste. Marie’s I.D.A. Pharmacies

  5. TELEMEDICINE WALK-IN CLINIC: Connects patients with third-party telemedicine:  Enhanced Care Clinic: The Enhanced Care Clinic Services Information:

  • 20-25 Family Physicians that operate through the clinic

  • Doctors can provide prescriptions for medications, not including controlled and narcotic medications

  • Provide requisitions for bloodwork and diagnostic imaging tests

  • Referrals to Specialties

  • Address general health concerns and issues as well as minor infections

Locations and Hours of Operation

  • Wellington Square: (705) 945-8088 Monday-Friday: 9am-12pm

  • Queenstown: (705) 949-7331 Monday-Friday: 9am-12pm

  • Market Mall: (705) 253-1221 Monday-Friday: 9am-12pm / Saturday 9am-12pm

  • Urban Square: (705) 759-4818 Monday-Friday: 9am-12pm

  • Pine Shores Telemedicine Clinic: (705) 649-6393 Monday-Friday: 10am-2pm

 The above clinics offer in office video appointments. Each location can only service 5 appointments per day. This is a first come first serve basis. In office video appointments are free of charge under OHIP. With recent changes to the telemedicine services in Ontario, phone appointments are no longer free of charge. If interested in a phone call appointment through the Enhanced Care Clinic, there is a $66.00 charge. The Enhanced Care Clinic will provide  an invoice to submit to private insurance. 

 

Telemed Sault Ste. Marie:

  

First Nation Community Members

 Mninoeyaa Aboriginal Health Access Centre: Provides Primary health care services to clients and families through the community health centres within Atikameksheng Anishinabek, Sagamok First Nation, Serpent River First Naton, Mississauga First Nation, Thessalon First Nation, Garden River First Nation, Batchewana First Nation, and the Indigenous Friendship Centre in Sault Ste. Marie. General Information: 705-844-2021

 Appointments and Referrals

  • Atikameksheng Anishinabek (705) 692-3674 ext. 248

  • Sagamok First Nation: (705)-865-2171 ext. 343

  • Serpent River First Nation: (705)-844-2152

  • Mississauga First Nation: (705)-356-1621 ext. 2224

  • Thessalon First Nation: (705)-842-2670

  • Garden River First Nation: (705) 946-5710 ext. 226

  • Batchewana First Nation: 705-254-7827  ext. 131

  • Indigenous Friendship Centre in Sault Ste. Marie: 705-256-8925

 

Ontario Health 811

https://health811.ontario.ca/static/guest/contact-us#think-you-have-covid-19%3F