Increased testing hours and a public vaccination clinic are coming to Niagara Health.
Niagara Health is mobilizing in response to a spike in new COVID-19 infections, brought on by the Omicron variant.
In a release, Chief of Staff Dr. Johan Viljoen and President and CEO Lynn Guerriero say a public vaccination clinic will be opened early next month.
Niagara Health will also expand clinic hours in the Falls and St. Catharines in response to increased testing demands.
Meanwhile, patients are only allowed only one visitor or Essential Care Partner at a time, and all guests must be fully vaccinated.
At the moment, there are 22 Niagara Health patients with COVID-19, and six are in ICUs.
Niagara Health says seasonal illnesses typically cause a spike in Emergency Departments during the holidays, and you're asked to consider your healthcare options before visiting the hospital for non-emergency concerns.
"We can appreciate how challenging and disappointing a fifth wave is for everyone, especially during the holiday season. This is not where we expected to be at this point in the pandemic, however these actions are needed to protect our patients and families, and our staff and physicians. Although disappointing, we have done this work before, and we will do it again, with your assistance, to get this pandemic behind us."
During the holidays, Niagara Health's clinic hours are as follows:
Dec. 21-23: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Dec. 24: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Dec. 25: Closed
Dec. 26-30: 8 a.m. to 6 p .m.
Dec. 31: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Jan. 1: Closed
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