The number of people attending the Chatham-Kent's COVID-19 Assessment Centre is back down to around 100 persons per day again.
Demand at the centre, now located at the St. Clair College Healthplex on Grand Avenue West in Chatham and available by-appointment-only, saw a noticeable increase once school started in September, reaching an average of around 200 people per day.
However, Chatham-Kent Health Alliance President and CEO Lori Marshall noted that a few recent changes at the provincial level appear to have made a big difference in reducing the number of people attending the centre.
"In addition to the accessibility of pharmacies, the major change we've seen is the change in screening criteria from kids to be able to go back to school," said Marshall. "I did a walk through the other day and I think the booking is working well and we're hopeful the public will be appreciative of the move we've made."
Local pharmacies across Southwestern Ontario started offering free COVID-19 testing for asymptomatic individuals at the end of September -- including the Shoppers Drug Mart at St. Clair Street at McNaughton Avenue West in Chatham.
The province also changed its screening tool for students, noting that if a child has only one symptom like a runny nose or headache they should stay home for at least 24 hours. After 24 hours if the symptoms are improving and they are well enough to return to school they can do so without a COVID-19 test.
Marshall said the CKHA is also making some provisions to make sure that everyone who urgently needs a test can get one in a timely fashion.
"We've made sure to set aside a few appointments every day so we can support public health if they identified someone who was either at risk or was a significant contact of another individual," said Marshall. "I do believe that with the reduction in the numbers of people who are coming to the assessment centre, the overall wait time for our appointments should be reduced."
Marshall said at this point, her understanding is that the current wait time for an appointment at the COVID-19 Assessment Centre in Chatham is two to three days at the most, adding that she is "happy to hear from any individuals who are exceeding those wait times."
She added that appointments at the assessment centre should be limited to individuals who are showing possible COVID-19 symptoms and that anyone who is asymptomatic should book an appointment at an approved pharmacy instead.
