York Region to open second Community Flu Assessment Centre

 

Additional Assessment Centre located in the Town of Markham begins operating tomorrow

 

NEWMARKET – The Regional Municipality of York will open its second Community Flu Assessment Centre (CFAC) tomorrow, located at 9255 Woodbine Avenue in the Town of Markham.

 

This centre, in addition to the first community flu assessment centre that opened in the City of Vaughan last week, will provide increased resources for assessing and treating York Region residents who are experiencing influenza-like illness.

 

York Region continues to experience a steady increase in the amount of confirmed cases of influenza. 

 

“Within the first week, more than 266 patients have been seen at the first Community Flu Assessment Centre York Region opened in the City of Vaughan,” said Dr. Karim Kurji, York Region’s Medical Officer of Health.  “Opening an additional centre in the Town of Markham will help further reduce the impact of influenza on local hospitals, physicians and the community.”

 

Community Flu Assessment Centres are used by local public health units during a pandemic influenza outbreak to alleviate pressures and congestion from local hospitals, allowing emergency rooms to focus on treating people who are critically ill or have life-threatening illnesses or injuries.  The CFAC also provides residents who are suffering from influenza with another option for assessment and treatment.

 

Who should attend a community flu assessment centre?

 

Most people who get the flu will be able to manage their symptoms at home, but some people may need further assessment by a health care provider.  Symptoms of the flu include the acute onset of fever (over 100 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius) and a cough combined with a sore throat, muscle aches and/or joint pain and weakness.

 

If you have concerns about symptoms, you should contact your family physician or call Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  Residents who do not have a family doctor or are unable to get an appointment can attend one of the two York Region Community Flu Assessment Centres listed below:

 

Location	Times
9255 Woodbine Avenue Town of Markham  - Map	Seven days a week opening Wednesday, November 11th Monday to Friday              3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday      10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
9401 Jane Street City of Vaughan - Map	Monday to Thursday        1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday                             10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday    10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

 

A CFAC evaluates the needs of each individual and triages influenza patients.  Patients are seen on a first come, first serve basis and are assessed by a registered nurse experienced in acute care.  Each centre is managed by on-site York Region public health staff.

 

Individuals who are identified as ill at a York Region Community Flu Assessment Centre may:

• Be sent home with education on self-care
• Receive anti-viral (either medication or prescription)
• Be transported to an alternate care facility (Emergency or Hospital Flu Assessment Centre)
• Be referred to family physicians in the community who have agreed to see referrals from the centre; this may include family physicians and/or urgent care physicians at the Urgent Care Facility located at the City of Vaughan location only

As part of York Region Public Health’s pandemic plan, three Community Flu Assessment Centres are planned.  The third and final CFAC is scheduled to open in the Town of Newmarket, beginning the week of November 16^th. 

 

York Region Community Flu Assessment Centres will not offer the H1N1 flu vaccination.  There are five H1N1 immunization clinics located across York Region.  Some groups of people are at higher risk of contracting H1N1, developing complications from H1N1 or passing the flu to other higher-risk people.  For this reason the H1N1 vaccine is currently only available to these groups.

 

Updated clinic information is available at www.york.ca/H1N1

For updated information on this year’s flu season, please visit www.york.ca/H1N1 or contact York Region Health Connection at 1-800-361-5653.

 

Due to the sensitive nature of this assessment centre, members of the media will not be allowed to enter while on assignment.  Filming within the facility is also prohibited.

 

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