In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Marathon Family Health Team (MFHT) opened a COVID-19 Assessment Centre on April 1, 2020.

The Assessment Centre is where community members will be required to go if they need to be assessed by a healthcare provider and tested for COVID-19.

For more information about the COVID-19 Assessment Centre, please click on the questions below.

 

 

Where is the Marathon COVID-19 Assessment Centre located?

The COVID-19 Assessment Centre is located below the Marathon Family Health Team (MFHT), on the right side of the Marathon Public Library. It is located outside of the clinic and hospital to help prevent the spread of the virus by limiting the number of individuals entering healthcare facilities. This will help keep patients, healthcare providers and staff safe, as COVID-19 cases continue to rise.

Who can visit the Assessment Centre?

The testing criteria for COVID-19 have recently changed, meaning that more individuals are now eligible for testing. The criteria may continue to change over time.

You can get a tested for COVID-19 if:

  • you are worried you may have COVID-19
  • you are worried you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19
  • you are at risk of exposure to COVID-19 through your employment
  • you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19.

If any of the above apply to you, please contact the MFHT to find out if you need to be tested for COVID-19.

Who should NOT go to the Assessment Centre?

People who are in distress (e.g. significant trouble breathing, chest pain, fainting, or have a significant worsening of any chronic disease symptoms). If you are experiencing any of these symptoms and require immediate medical attention, please dial 911 and explain your symptoms or phone ahead to the emergency department.

How to book an appointment at the Assessment Centre?

If you think you need to be tested for COVID-19, there are a few ways to book an appointment, including:

• Calling MFHT at 807-229-3243,
• Booking an appointment online by visiting https://mfht.org/ and clicking on “request an appointment” (top right corner), filling out the form and pressing “send”,
• Sending an email to appointments@mfht.org. Include your name, date of birth, telephone number, and the reason for the appointment.

If you book your appointment online (via MFHT’s website or email address), someone from the clinic will contact you by telephone to book your appointment.

How do I get a test at the Assessment Centre?

When booking your appointment with the clinic staff, your concerns will be assessed and you may be given one of the following:

• An in-person appointment at the COVID-19 Assessment Centre,
• A drive-through appointment at the COVID-19 Assessment Centre,
• A phone appointment to discuss your symptoms or concerns with a healthcare provider. Through the phone appointment the healthcare provider may then recommend and book you for COVID-19 testing at the Assessment Centre.

Do I need an appointment or referral?

Yes, you are required book an appointment by contacting MFHT before visiting the assessment centre.

Please DO NOT come to the clinic or to the COVID-19 Assessment Centre if you don’t have an appointment or if you haven’t been instructed to do so by a healthcare provider.

What happens at the Assessment Centre?

On the day of your appointment, you will be asked to drive to the COVID-19 Assessment Centre. When you pass the hospital and get to the Marathon Public Library, turn right and head to the area that is marked with a privacy screen and orange and black traffic barricades. You will see a stop sign indicating where to park your vehicle.

Two types of appointments will be offered at the Assessment Centre:

  1. Drive-through appointments will be offered to patients who have COVID-19-related symptoms and to those who need to be swabbed before a procedure. When you present for your drive-through appointment, a healthcare provider will come out to assess you in your vehicle. They will begin by taking your temperature and oxygen saturation level. They may also listen to your lungs and then complete a COVID-19 swab through your nose.
  2. In-person appointments will be offered to patients who have COVID-19-related symptoms that require a physical examination. For example, an individual who is experiencing shortness of breath, which is a symptom of COVID-19, will need to swabbed and be assessed by a physician. If you require an in-person assessment, a healthcare provider will let you know when you can enter the facility.

Please ensure to put on a face covering before the healthcare provider comes out to assess you in your vehicle or before entering the facility.

At the end of your appointment, you will be provided with a self-isolation kit to bring home with you.

Does the Marathon COVID-19 Assessment Centre test children for COVID-19?

Yes. We are equipped to test people of all ages.

What are the hours of operation?

The Marathon COVID-19 Assessment Centre base hours of operation are, Monday to Friday from 2:00pm to 4:00pm.  Hours of operation are variable and will increase in relation to demand for testing.

Is parking available?

If there is a line-up at the Assessment Centre, park in the library parking area and do not block the roadway. Wait until the laneway is clear before you proceed to park in front of the Assessment Centre.

How do I find out my results?

The COVID-19 Test Results viewer is a website that will enable you to access and view your COVID-19 test results from the Ministry of Health. You need to have your OHIP number ready to check your test results on the website. Click here to visit the website.

A healthcare worker will also contact you directly if your result is positive.

How is the Thunder Bay District Health Unit involved with the Assessment Centre?

The TBDHU is involved with COVID-19 Assessment Centres at a regional level. The TBDHU does not perform any COVID-19 testing. They do, however, direct community members in our district to the nearest COVID-19 Assessment Centre for testing when required. They are also available to answer any COVID-19-related questions.

The TBDHU plays an important role when individuals test positive for COVID-19. At this time, they become responsible for case management and contact tracing. This includes identifying close contacts for every positive COVID-19 case in the Thunder Bay District. The identification and management of these close contacts is one of the tools public health uses to slow the spread of COVID-19.

Public health also works with the Ontario Government and other health agencies to keep the public informed on the status of COVID-19 in our district and province. They are also responsible for developing public health policies that help to keep our communities safe throughout the pandemic.

For all COVID-19 inquiries, call TBDHU at (807) 229-1820 or toll free at 1-888-294-6630