Hamilton is expanding its COVID-19 testing, including drive-thru tests

In a new statement, the City of Hamilton has announced its plans to increase and expand testing for COVID-19 in the city, which will also include a drive-thru testing system.

The changes to COVID-19 testing in Hamilton include adjusting the criteria of who is eligible for testing, which includes symptomatic health care workers and first responders, symptomatic patients who have had contact with a confirmed case, symptomatic children attending an essential day care service, and symptomatic household members who live with individuals who have medical co-morbidities.

COVID-19 testing criteria has changed.

If you have COVID-19 symptoms, such as cough, fever, shortness of breath, and others, check to see if you should be tested: https://t.co/Mrd5j4Q60n #HamOnt pic.twitter.com/0Wpacgk9OE

— City of Hamilton (@cityofhamilton) April 11, 2020

The city explains that medical co-morbidities include heart disease, renal disease, chronic lung disease, or immune compromise.

The statement also specifies significant possible COVID-19 symptoms to watch out for, which include cough, fever, shortness of breath, changes in or loss of smell and taste, new muscle aches, and fatigue.

Less common symptoms include headaches, sore throat, runny nose, or diarrhea.

While the city says that its two existing assessment centres are equipped to test more people, it’s important to note that the process and criteria for testing eligibility remains the same, requiring a referral from your doctor or from Hamilton Public Health Services.

Plans for the next phase of COVID-19 testing initiatives in Hamilton are to be released soon, including the details of the forthcoming drive-thru testing initiative.

Read the entire statement on the City of Hamilton website.

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• City of Hamilton
• coronavirus
• COVID-19
• Hamilton
• HamOnt
• Health
• medical
• pandemic
• Public Health
• testing
• virus