Clinical Assessment Centre

The Clinical Assessment Centre is open at the Niagara Falls Site for those with mild to moderate symptoms of COVID-19. Please note we do not accept walk-ins. You must have an appointment.

If you have one or more of the following symptoms, you should immediately call 911 or go to the Emergency Department:

Severe difficulty breathing
Severe chest pain
Feeling confused or unsure of where you are
Losing consciousness

Who can visit the clinical assessment centre?

The Clinical Assessment Centre can test, assess, and provide treatment options for COVID-19.

You should visit if you have COVID-19 symptoms and any of the following apply to you:

You are at higher of getting seriously ill from COVID-19 and need to get tested and assessed for COVID-19 treatment.
You have been directed to visit a COVID-19 clinical assessment centre by your primary care provider. Primary care providers should complete the referral form.
You feel that you cannot safely monitor your COVID-19 symptoms at home and need to be seen by a healthcare provider.

You do not need to have a positive test result to visit. You should bring a list of your medications and a list of any important medical conditions.

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 emergency department.

What do I need to bring to the clinical assessment centre?

You should bring a list of your medication and a list of any important medical conditions to your appointment.

What are COVID-19 treatments?

COVID-19 treatments (including the Paxlovid pill) are available for people who have COVID-19 and are at higher risk of becoming seriously ill. These treatments are available for free by prescription for anyone who would benefit from them. COVID-19 treatments can help people who are at higher risk of becoming seriously ill stay out of the hospital. They must be taken within the first five to seven days (depending on the treatment) after symptoms start.

Who is eligible for COVID-19 treatment?

To get treatment, you must test positive for COVID-19 (by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or rapid antigen test) and a health care provider must assess you to determine if treatment is right for you, which includes whether or not you are at higher risk of becoming seriously ill. People meeting the following criteria should get tested and assessed for treatment:

over 18 and immunocompromised (have an immune system that is weakened by a health condition or medications)
over 70
over 60 with fewer than three vaccine doses
over 18 with fewer than three vaccine doses and at least one of the following risk conditions:
- obesity
- diabetes
- heart disease, hypertension, congestive heart failure
- chronic respiratory disease (including cystic fibrosis)
- cerebral palsy
- intellectual or developmental disabilities
- sickle cell disease o moderate or severe kidney disease
- moderate or severe liver disease
- pregnant and unvaccinated (zero doses)

Use the Ontario government's COVID-19 antiviral treatment screener to help you decide if you should be tested and assessed for treatment.

Meeting the criteria above does not guarantee access to COVID-19 treatment. A health care provider at the clinical assessment centre will test you if needed and do an assessment to decide if you should get treatment.

How can I get an appointment to the Clinical Assessment Centre?

High risk individuals who do not have a primary care provider or cannot be seen by their primary care provider in the time to be assessed for treatment can self-refer by calling the centre at 905-378-4647 Ext. 41985. Please leave a voicemail with your name and contact information and the team will get back to you during operational hours.

Connect with your family doctor’s office (primary care provider) promptly for care if you are in a higher-risk group (described above) and/or have tested positive on a Rapid Antigen Test or PCR, and have symptoms. Your family doctor may prescribe antiviral medication that can be dispensed at most community pharmacies.