There are no specific numbers, but the North Bay Regional Health Centre tells CKAT that its Assessment Centre has stepped up in response to the government announcement to expand testing criteria.
Officials say their team is doing everything they can to accommodate everyone who wants to be tested and additional staff have been added to meet their volumes.
They also say at this time there is no drive-thru option but, it may be explored for high-risk patient populations at a later time.
Officials ask everyone to be patient and practice social distancing if they do have to wait in line to be seen and say patients with COVID symptoms will be given priority to minimize exposure to others.
The Assessment Centre is located in the west end of the Health Centre and free parking is available at Lot 9.
The hours of operation are 9 – 5, seven days a week.
Meanwhile, Dr. Charles Gardner, medical officer of health for Simcoe-Muskoka says he hopes people don't rush out all at once for a COVID-19 test.
See: Don't rush out all at once for a COVID-19 test, warns top doc
After Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced testing for all, local testing centres saw a surge in people asking for a COVID-19 test.
Gardner advises people to call ahead.
“The reason for appointments at assessment centres is infection control,” said the doctor. “Avoidance of transmission of disease at such centres will always be priority number one.”
He doesn’t want to see a lineup or a crowd gathering now that testing is available for people without symptoms.
