Important Changes to Joseph Brant Hospital COVID-19 Testing Service

November 2, 2020 – Burlington, ON – Joseph Brant Hospital is making changes to its COVID-19 testing operations to better serve the Burlington community in colder weather. 

Starting Nov. 3, drive-through testing will be discontinued due to the cold weather  and all COVID-19 testing will be conducted indoors at our Assessment Centre. This will help protect the health and safety of both the public and our staff as we continue to provide this important service over the winter months.

The Assessment Centre is easily accessed from the entrance on Northshore Blvd, with signs directing visitors to the orange entrance doors and designated parking area. We ask that you arrive at your schedule time as parking is limited, and wait in your vehicle until the time of your appointment.

If you arrive without a vehicle, we ask that you approach the door at the time of your scheduled appointment and wait outside until a staff member greets you.

Please bring your Ontario health card and the heath cards of any family members who will be tested. You must wear a mask indoors that covers your nose and mouth, clean your hands and physically distance (2 metres or 6 feet) from others when waiting for your test.

Testing is by appointment only, and only for individuals who meet the provincial testing criteria. Please visit covid-19.ontario.ca for more information. Children under one year should go to their family health-care provider for COVID-19 testing.

Appointments can be made by visiting https://covidtesting.josephbranthospital.ca. Individuals using our online booking platform can now schedule their appointment from the available dates and times, as well as booking appointments for up to 3 family members who meet the provincial criteria. Instructions on how to access the Assessment Centre will be provided in a confirmation email. Please note that you will not be able to schedule appointments from 6 p.m. on Nov. 2 to 6 a.m. on Nov. 3 as we transition to our new online platform.

Appointments can also be made by calling 905-632-3737, extension 6550. We ask those individuals with accessibility needs to make their appointments by phone, so we can understand their specific needs and plan their visit accordingly. Phone lines are open Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m.

Full details on COVID-19 testing and assessment at JBH are available on our website.

Some pharmacies are also providing COVID-19 testing for individuals who are not showing symptoms and are eligible for testing as part of a targeted initiative as determined by the government or public health, such as residents, workers or visitors of long-term care homes.

Please check the provincial COVID-19 website for a participating pharmacy in your area.

If you are experiencing severe COVID-19 symptoms, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency department.

About Joseph Brant Hospital

Joseph Brant Hospital (JBH) is a full service community teaching hospital serving more than 185,000 residents in the communities of Halton and Hamilton, including Burlington, Waterdown, Flamborough, Milton and Stoney Creek, with a skilled staff of 194 physicians, 1,911 full- and part-time staff and more than 700 volunteers. In conjunction with McMaster University, JBH is a Clinical Education site, and designated as an Academic Community Teaching Hospital with an expanded campus which includes the seven-storey state-of-art Michael Lee-Chin & Family Patient Tower which features a new Emergency Department, 172 acute inpatient beds, 9 new Operating Rooms and post-anaesthetic care unit to support expanded medical, surgical and outpatient services. JBH is also a partner member of the Burlington Ontario Health Team. For more information, visit www.josephbranthospital.ca.

For more information, please contact:

Ann Lamanes

Corporate Communications

905-632-3737 ext. 2157

corporatecommunications@josephbranthospital.ca