Canada’s national nuclear laboratory donates resources to help Deep River and District Hospital establish COVID-19 testing centre and administer flu clinics
Chalk River, ON – November 19, 2020 – Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) and the Deep River and District Hospital (DRDH) are pleased to announce that a new COVID-19 testing centre has opened on the hospital grounds to provide a safe, secure, and isolated location for local residents to access COVID-19 testing this winter. The hospital hosted its first testing day on Tuesday, November 17, where testing was administered in a trailer that was donated by CNL.
Prior to the new trailer, COVID-19 testing in Deep River had been carried out in an outdoor setting, a situation that was unsustainable with the winter weather approaching. The new trailer enables the hospital to maintain testing outside of their main building, keeping suspected cases outside of the hospital, while ensuring ongoing testing availability within North Renfrew at a warm and safe testing site.
With the COVID-19 pandemic becoming increasingly active in communities across Renfrew County, local health officials are also working hard to make the flu vaccine more accessible this year. With that goal in mind, the two organizations are also working with the Renfrew County and District Health Unit to host flu clinics in the communities of Deep River, Chalk River, and Stonecliffe, which includes a clinic being held at CNL’s Morison campus.
“The COVID-19 Pandemic has affected everyone in our local communities, and we must all come together to help support public health officials confront this dangerous virus,” commented Rosetta McGirl, the Medical Supervisor of CNL’s Health Centre. “Donating this equipment and making our facilities and personnel available to help administer the flu shot is something significant that we can do to help protect the local community. On behalf of CNL, I’d like to extend our thanks to the healthcare workers at the Deep River and District Hospital and across Renfrew County who are on the front lines of this battle against COVID-19.”
“Existing healthcare resources have been strained by the COVID-19 Pandemic, creating the need to work alongside local organizations to support our communities,” said Janna Hotson, DRDH’s Vice President of Clinical Services. “The Deep River and District Hospital is grateful to Canadian Nuclear Laboratories for their willingness to work together on unique solutions to care for our community during this time. The resources that CNL has contributed will be instrumental in supporting our goal of providing critical health services locally. The organization would like to extend a sincere thank you to CNL for their support, which helps ensure that members of our community can receive excellent, compassionate health care close to home.”
The new COVID-19 testing center will support all COVID-19 testing for Deep River and the surrounding area as scheduled through the Renfrew County Virtual Triage and Assessment Centre (RCVTAC), since their paramedic COVID-19 testing programs no longer extend to Deep River. Residents seeking COVID-19 testing at the DRDH can contact RCVTAC at 1-844-727-6404 to register for testing. The hospital will use this facility to conduct community testing, as well as ongoing testing of health care personnel.
The DRDH is encouraging local residents to get the flu vaccine this year, something which is more important than ever given the COVID-19 Pandemic. In addition to the trailer for COVID-19 testing, CNL is also providing access to its Morison Campus in Deep River for a flu clinic, as well as the support of its nursing staff to administer flu shots at Morison and other clinics in Chalk River and Stonecliffe. Residents are asked to visit www.drdh.org for exact flu clinic times and locations.
CNL and the Deep River and District Hospital continue to ask local residents to follow the guidance of local health officials to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 within our local communities. Please continue to limit social gatherings, exercise strong sanitary habits, wear a mask, and maintain physical distancing, wherever possible. These small acts can have a meaningful impact in protecting your family, friends, and neighbours. For additional guidance, please visit www.rcdhu.com.
About Deep River and District Hospital
The Deep River and District Hospital is a multi-sector healthcare provider that is comprised of the Deep River and District Hospital, the Four Seasons Lodge, and the North Renfrew Family Health Team. The organization is accredited with Exemplary Standing by Accreditation Canada, recognizing it’s clinical and operational performance in providing an excellent, compassionate health care experience, every time.
For more information on the Deep River and District Hospital, please visit www.drdh.org or contact [email protected].
DRDH Contact:
Amy Joyce
Executive Assistant and Communications Coordinator
DRDH, 613-584-3333 ext. 7100
About CNL
Canadian Nuclear Laboratories is a world leader in nuclear science and technology offering unique capabilities and solutions across a wide range of industries. Actively involved with industry-driven research and development in nuclear, transportation, clean technology, energy, defence, security and life sciences, we provide solutions to keep these sectors competitive internationally.
With ongoing investments in new facilities and a focused mandate, Canadian Nuclear Laboratories is well positioned for the future. A new performance standard reinforced with a strong safety culture underscores every activity.
For more information on the complete range of Canadian Nuclear Laboratories services, please visit www.cnl.ca or contact [email protected].
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CNL Contact:
Patrick Quinn
Director, Corporate Communications
CNL, 1-866-886-2325
