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Covid-19 Clinic Updates
After Hours Clinic
When you call to register for the After Hours Clinic, you will be given an approximate time frame for your appointment by our nurse. Please ensure that you are available to answer the phone, and that your phone is set to receive numbers with no caller ID. The physician may be using a cell phone with a blocked number. In order to fully address your issue, a physical exam may be required. Please be aware that you may be asked to come into the clinic in person. If a photo has been requested for a phone visit at the time of registration, it needs to be submitted to the portal (click here) on the website by 4:30pm so that it can be viewed in your chart during the evening clinic.
Cold and Flu during the COVID 19 Pandemic
The common cold usually causes nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat, sneezing and cough. It may also cause fever and headache. Influenza or the flu also causes these symptoms, and is more frequently associated with fever, fatigue, headaches and body aches. These illnesses are caused by viruses, and antibiotics are not helpful to treat them. Most of the time, these illnesses can be managed at home and do not require a visit to the doctor.
A cold or flu virus can be expected to last 7 to 14 days. Symptoms are generally worst in the first week. Some residual symptoms such as cough may last longer than 14 days.
Adults will commonly have 2-3 colds per year. Even healthy children may get 8-12 colds per year.
The most effective way to prevent transmission of cold and flu is careful and frequent handwashing.
Get the Flu Shot.
How to treat at home:
Stay at home.
Get plenty of rest and fluids.
Eating ice chips, gargling salt water, or using lozenges may help with sore throat.
Saline drops or over the counter antihistamines and decongestants can help with nasal congestion and runny nose. If you take other medications, please check with the pharmacist before using any over the counter decongestants.
Acetaminophen or ibuprophen will help with fever, headaches and body aches.
Contact the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Center COVID Assessment Center at 807-935-8100 to obtain testing for COVID 19 as many of the above symptoms are associated with this virus.
When to seek medical care:
You should seek immediate medical care if you have Chest Pain.
You are experiencing new or worsening shortness of breath.
You have underlying lung disease such as COPD or asthma with new or worsening cough, shortness of breath or change in sputum.
You are wheezing (whistling sound with breathing)
Your symptoms are worsening after 7 days.
You have a fever (temperature > 38oC) for more than 3-5 days
You have a severe sore throat and difficulty swallowing for more than 3 days.
You have pain in your face and upper teeth associated with fever and nasal congestion.
Any fever in a child under 3 months even if they appear well. An infant less than one month old with a fever should be taken directly to the ER.
3-36 months with fever lasting more than 3 days
Infants and children 3 months or older who seem unwell (fussy, clingy, not eating or drinking well, lethargy (low energy or decreased responsiveness), or showing signs of an ear infection such as pulling at ears)
High fever (greater than or equal to 39.4o C or 103 o F)
Children of any age with any signs of difficulty breathing such as wheezing or whistling sound with breathing, or breathing quickly.
Children of any age with recurrent fevers lasting more than 5 days.
Children of any age with chronic medical issues.
Children of any age with fever and a new rash.
Children of any age whose symptoms are worsening after 7 days.
Patient Mask Wearing Policy
ALL patients coming to the Fort William clinic above the age of 2 are required to wear a mask. A cloth, neck tube or scarf are acceptable.
Please click here for information on creating a mask.
How We Are Providing Care (PDF)
Click on the image to view a PDF on how we are providing care.
PUBLIC HEALTH NOTICE
PLEASE PREPARE FOR SCREENING UPON ENTRY TO THE FORT WILLIAM CLINIC
Entry to the Fort William Clinic is contingent on a negative screening.
Our clinic is now providing telephone visits. You physician or their staff will be contacting you regarding your next appointment. Only urgent visits will be seen in person. Please wait until our staff contact you.
When you arrive at the AHC you will be screened by one of our staff. You will then be directed to wait in your car and will then receive a phone visit with our physician. If you screen negative and require a physical appointment the physician will then direct you inside the clinic when it is your turn.
Appointments can now be requested by e-mail at: appointments@fwfht.ca
** Please include your name and phone number and a team member will contact you directly to coordinate an appointment **
***Covid-19 Information***
The Fort William Clinic is committed to protecting your health. Our priority is to reduce the risk of exposure, limiting the impact of the Coronavirus-19 pandemic on our patients, staff, and the community.
We encourage people with ANY history of international travel (including the the USA), or exposure to those who have traveled, to stay home, isolate and self monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 such as fever and cough. Please present to the ER if you are having chest pain or difficulty breathing.
Additional awareness resources can be found here. Important phone numbers and PDF resources can be found below.
The Health Unit telephone numbers are:
- (807) 625-5900 (Infectious Disease Program)
- 1-888-294-6630 (Toll-free)
- 1-866-797-0000 (Telehealth)
https://www.tbdhu.com/coronavirus
