Residents with Mild Symptoms & Recent Travel History Abroad Asked to Consult with a Public Health Nurse
Written by Communications, March 12, 2020
Extended Hours Available at Peterborough Public Health for COVID-19 Screening Calls
Peterborough Public Health announced today that it will be offering extended phone hours to screen residents concerned about COVID-19 if they have mild respiratory symptoms and recent travel history abroad within the last 14 days.
“We are encouraging all residents who have travelled outside of Canada within the last two weeks and have mild respiratory symptoms to call us so we can determine if further testing for COVID-19 is needed,” explained Dr. Rosana Salvaterra, Medical Officer of Health. “Our goal is to keep those with mild symptoms away from hospitals so they can tend to those who require acute care.”
Public Health Nurses will be available by phone from 8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. from Monday to Friday, and from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturdays. Residents with concerns can call the COVID-19 hotline at 705-743-1000, ext. 401 or email covid19@peterboroughpublichealth.ca to consult with a nurse. After these hours, residents are asked to call Telehealth Ontario at 1 866-797-0000 to speak with a nurse about their symptoms, or email covid19@peterboroughpublichealth.ca for follow up the next business day.
Mild symptoms refers to:
- Low grade fever
- Mild coughing or sneezing
- Sore throat
Those who are having difficulty breathing should call 911 for immediate medical attention.
Public Health Nurses will determine if residents require testing. All individuals who are tested are followed up by a Public Health Nurse and will be required to self-isolate.
For further information and resources about COVID-19, please visit www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca.
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For further information, please contact:
Brittany Cadence, Communications Manager
705-743-1000, ext. 391