Ottawa ACORN mobile clinic brings COVID tests to disabled, disadvantaged

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“I’m glad of the support we got from ACORN and that everyone stood up and pushed for it.”

ACORN had hoped to do 70 tests during the three-hour session, but had eclipsed that mark by 45 by the time testing wrapped up.

As demand for testing builds, The Ottawa Hospital is looking to divert some of its resources to mobile clinics like the Ottawa ACORN one. Saturday’s clinic was a “learning opportunity” for the hospital, which co-ordinates its response to the pandemic with the Champlain Region COVID Response Committee.

“The Champlain region’s mobile testing strategy includes testing in long-term care homes and in residential settings for isolated elderly. The strategy evolves based on where disease is likely to exist, where disease will have the hardest impact, and on community need,” the hospital said in a statement.

“The Ottawa Hospital and its partners continue to look for opportunities to provide testing nearer to home for those who have barriers to accessing the COVID Assessment Centre or COVID Care Clinics. This pilot project is a learning opportunity for the clinical team and in support of ACORN’s location selection.”

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