COVID, Cold and Flu Care Clinic Closing

HPHA’s COVID, Cold and Flu Care Clinic will be closing at the end of the month. L to R: Julie Brown, Manager CCFCC; Patty Wells, RN, Ashley McCartney and Dr. Shawn Edwards

Due to a steady decline in patient volume, the Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance’s (HPHA) COVID, Cold and Flu Care Clinic (CCFCC) will be closing. The last day of operation for COVID-19 testing will be Thursday, March 30 and the last day for physician assessment will be Friday, March 31, 2023. 

COVID-19 Testing began in the Emergency Departments of each of HPHA’s hospital sites in March 2020. By June of 2020 a drive-thru COVID-19 Assessment Centre opened at the Stratford General Hospital. In November of the same year the Assessment Centre moved to the Stratford Rotary Complex. Physician, or clinical, assessments were introduced in October of 2021. In September of 2022, the Assessment Centre relocated to its current location at the Stratford Medical Centre – Stratford Family Health Team office. 

In December 2022 the Assessment Centre became know as the CCFCC and featured an expanded clinical assessment eligibility to individuals experiencing a wide range of respiratory symptoms along with COVID-19 testing and antiviral treatment. 

To date over 54,000 PCR tests and over 2,000 clinical assessments have been completed. 

"The contribution this team has made to the quality of our local health system during the pandemic has been outstanding,” says Andrew Williams, President and CEO. “As we close our CCFCC a huge thank you is extended to our community partners including the Stratford Rotary Complex, the wonderful staff at the Stratford Family Health Team, Emad Salama of PrinceRx Pharmacy for generously paying the parking fees for all the CCFCC patients and, of course, all the staff and physicians that worked tirelessly provide this service.” 

For patients seeking COVID-19 assessment, testing or antiviral treatment after March 31, 2023: 

• Contact your family doctor; or 

• Visit Ontario’s COVID-19 web page (www.ontario.ca/covid19) to find a local pharmacy who offers COVID-19 testing and treatment 

Residents of Huron and Perth are encouraged to continue taking actions to prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses including making in public spaces, keeping up-to-date with vaccinations, washing their hands and staying home when sick (unless seeking medical care). 

If you develop severe symptoms requiring medical attention, such as shortness of breath, chest pain, loss of consciousness, or confusion, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.