The Ministry of Health updated the list of symptoms associated with COVID-19 over the weekend to include pink eye, hoarse voice, difficulty swallowing, sneezing, nasal congestion, vomiting, and abdominal pain.
These symptoms have been added to the list which already includes fever, chills, sore throat, new onset or worsening fatigue, loss of taste or smell, new onset or worsening cough, headache, loss of appetite, runny nose, nausea, diarrhea, and shortness of breath.
Officials want to test as many people as possible for the virus, and broadening the list of symptoms for testing is part of that effort.
If you’re wondering where and how to get assessed, you’ll find the contact information for assessment centres in Sudbury, Espanola and Manitoulin Island below.
- Health Sciences North (HSN) assessment centre: Clients MUST call 705-671-7373 between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., open seven days per week.
- Manitoulin Health Centre (MHC) assessment centre: Clients MUST call MHC (Mindemoya 705-377-5311, Little Current 705-368-2300). Calls are answered between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. seven days a week. The MHC Centres are open Monday to Friday, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
- Espanola and area communities assessment centre: The centre is for people living in Nairn, McKerrow, Massey, Sagamok, Webwood, Espanola, and Birch Island. Clients MUST call 705-869-1420, ext. 4500. Phone is answered between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., seven days per week.
As of noon on May 6, HSN has one admitted patient who has tested positive for COVID-19.
This patient remains in the ICU. One patient, who was admitted to the ICU for COVID-19, is now resolved. HSN also has 13 admitted patients who are under investigation for COVID-19, with 3 of these patients in the ICU.
Health Sciences North is reminding the community that for the safety and well-being of staff and patients, and to maintain social distancing, visitor restrictions remain in effect at HSN during the COVID-19 pandemic.
No visitors are permitted at HSN until further notice. These restrictions also apply to people come to the emergency department. The only exceptions to these restrictions would be for essential visitors.
The only exceptions are essential visitors in the following scenarios:
- · Dying or very ill patients are each allowed two pre-approved approved visitors.
- · One approved parent or guardian can visit a child or youth.
- · Patients having surgery or giving birth are allowed one visitor.
- · A patient with cognitive or language barriers or impairments are allowed one support person.
Essential visitors will continue to be screened for symptoms when entering Health Sciences North.
Visitors who do not meet the screening criteria will not be permitted to enter.