Surprise surge hits York Region hospitals' COVID-19 test centres

Mackenzie Health, Markham Stouffville plan to offer separate service for those with cold, flu symptoms

Yorkregion.com
Sept. 21, 2020

York Region hospitals, like those in many large urban areas around Ontario, appear to have been caught off-guard by an onslaught of people wanting to be tested for COVID-19 this week.

Southlake in Newmarket and Mackenzie Health in Richmond Hill and Vaughan all report the number of people coming to their assessment centres has nearly doubled over the past few days.

At Markham Stouffville, volumes are up by more than 40 per cent.

This is just the beginning, hospital officials say.

As flu season arrives, more and more people are expected to flock to centres for testing and the health care providers are taking steps now to prepare.

"We were taken by surprise," said Mary-Agnes Wilson, Mackenzie Health’s executive vice president, chief operating officer and chief nursing executive.

The Richmond Hill hospital normally sees 300 to 400 people a day, Wilson said.

Numbers began to rise over the past weekend and this week, they approached 800, with lineups curving around the building and parking lot.

A second location was opened in Vaughan Aug. 18. The number of people arriving at the 9401 Jane St. location had, until recently, averaged 40 to 50 a day. That, too, has now doubled.

"We recognize this situation is evolving and we need to respond to it," she said.

"We’ve added two teams of nurses to move quickly with the testing. More appointment times are coming and we highly recommend booking ahead … We will try to accommodate everyone who calls. We won’t turn you away (if you don’t book ahead), but it would be a better use of your time."

What’s driving the numbers?

Wilson points to the opening of schools leading to a heightened awareness in the community.

"It’s that time of year when we see the start of cold and flus, seasonal allergies and people are worried."

Others may be planning to visit a long-term care home and want to be sure they don’t have COVID-19.

Markham Stouffville Hospital also saw numbers rise this week.

Elena Pacheco, the hospital’s vice-president of planning and transformation, said the increase in demand began Sept. 14.

Unlike other York Region hospitals, Markham Stouffville has not required appointments, but is now asking people to preregister on the phone.

"Everyone is back to work and school and there’s a lot of anxiety in the community," Pacheco said.

Parents may hear rumours of someone who is sick in their child’s classroom or on the bus and want to set their minds at ease.

"I don’t think anyone anticipated the numbers going up so drastically," she said.

The Markham hospital is tweaking its registration process and, in the future, will offer time slots for testing, she said.

For now, though, everyone must pre-register before arriving. Walk-ins will not be accepted.

As flu season draws near, hospitals anticipate numbers to increase even more.

Everyone is encouraged to get immunized against the flu to ease the burden on health care providers.

York Region’s medical officer of health said public health is considering offering mobile, drive-through, and mass immunization clinics.

These innovative approaches can help determine the best way to deliver a COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available, Dr. Karim Kurji said.

Regardless, people will get the flu this fall, and Mackenzie Health and Markham Stouffville are preparing.

The Richmond Hill hospital, which sees some of the largest volumes at its assessment centre, expects to open a cold and flu clinic next week to help speed things up.

Details are still being confirmed, including where in the hospital it will be, hours and start date.

People will be encouraged to call ahead and health care providers will triage in advance, making sure those who have symptoms are looked at separately from those who are symptom-free and being tested to rule out COVID-19.

The Markham hospital is also preparing a flu clinic for those with respiratory symptoms.

"This way we can keep people separate, and let those who want to visit long-term care get a swab and get out of there quickly," Pacheco said. "We don’t want to mix that stream with those who have flu or COVID."

Southlake Regional Health Centre declined an interview.

Its website says that due to the dramatic increase in testing, the assessment centre will now be open for COVID-19 testing from 8 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. daily.

Registration must be done over the phone first.