* Unfortunately, our practice is full and cannot accept any more patients. *
COVID-19 Information (updated June 1)
- COVID-19 VACCINES
At the present time, COVID-19 vaccinations are ONLY available at specific designated locations in the community. We have not yet been given permission by public health to administer these vaccines in our office, although we are hopeful that at some point later this year we will be able to start offering COVID-19 vaccinations to our patients.
Public health COVID-19 vaccine clinics are accepting pre-registration for all individuals 12+ years of age, and are offering both Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. Priority groups continue to be scheduled for appointments in order of eligibility. It may take 4-6 weeks to be contacted for an appointment. The fastest way to receive an appointment is to provide an email or text (mobile phone number) when you pre-register. For pre-registration and other information about the vaccine for the region of Waterloo, please click on this link: https://www.regionofwaterloo.ca/en/health-and-wellness/covid-19-vaccine.aspx#
Some people are now eligible to receive their second dose earlier than the automatically scheduled 16-week interval. To find out more information about changing an appointment for a second dose, please click on this link: https://www.regionofwaterloo.ca/en/health-and-wellness/second-dose-information.aspx
Some pharmacies are offering Moderna and AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines to eligible adults. To find out more information and to register, please click on the following link: https://covid-19.ontario.ca/vaccine-locations
If you received your first dose of AstraZeneca vaccination, Health Canada has recently announced that people will be eligible to receive either AstraZeneca OR Pfizer OR Moderna for the second dose, as current evidence suggests that a) the clotting risk is much lower after the second dose of an AstraZeneca vaccine and b) receiving a different vaccine for the second dose is just as effective as receiving the same vaccine. If you would like to discuss this issue in more detail, please phone the office to schedule an appointment with your doctor.
- COVID-19 TESTING
If you have any symptoms compatible with COVID-19 or have had possible contact with a person with COVID-19 infection, STAY HOME AND COMPLETE THE ON-LINE COVID-19 SYMPTOM SELF-ASSESSMENT TOOL:
https://covid-19.ontario.ca/self-assessment/
After you complete the self-assessment, please follow the recommendations given. If you are recommended to get COVID-19 testing, you will be provided with a list of locations where you can schedule an appointment for testing (walk-ins are not allowed).
If you are having trouble breathing or rapid worsening of symptoms, or if you are elderly, immunosuppressed, or have a serious chronic illness, you should go to your nearest Emergency department for assessment.
- HELP PREVENT THE SPREAD OF COVID-19
This pandemic has been with us for a year now, and there is still no indication of life returning to “normal” for quite some time yet. Although most people who get COVID-19 infection have a relatively mild infection and are sometimes asymptomatic, it is important to realize that some people do die from this virus and others continue to have ongoing health issues for a long time after their COVID-19 infection clears. As a result, we urge you to please continue to do your best to help reduce the spread of this infection.
Even when not in a state of emergency or lockdown state, please remember and follow these very important guidelines, which definitely do help to reduce the spread of COVID-19:
- IF YOU ARE A RELATIVELY HEALTHY PERSON WITH MILD TO MODERATE COLD OR FLU SYMPTOMS, STAY IN YOUR HOUSE UNTIL ALL SYMPTOMS HAVE RESOLVED, BUT PLEASE MAKE ARRANGEMENTS TO HAVE COVID-19 TESTING (see below).
- WASH YOUR HANDS AS OFTEN AS YOU CAN, AND AVOID TOUCHING YOUR FACE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.
- PRACTICE “SOCIAL DISTANCING” AT ALL TIMES, EVEN WHEN YOU ARE WELL.
- WEAR A 3-LAYER HANDMADE MASK WHENEVER YOU ARE OUT IN PUBLIC AND UNABLE TO GUARANTEE MAINTAINING 2 METRES (6 FEET) DISTANCE FROM OTHER PEOPLE.
We have posted some other helpful links about COVID-19 below to help keep you up to date on the ever-changing picture of this pandemic. If you have any questions about any issues related to this pandemic, please phone our office to make an appointment to speak with your doctor. Stay safe everyone, wash your hands, and keep your distance!
Yours,
Dr. Scott Wright and Dr. Stefanie Wright
NOVEL CORONAVIRUS INFORMATION
Useful links:
COVID-19 Vaccine - Region of Waterloo
Vaccine Queue Calculator for Canada
COVID-19 Assessment and Testing Centres in Waterloo Region
CPSO - COVID-19 FAQs for Patients
https://www.ontario.ca/page/2019-novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection.html
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/index.html
Coronavirus Update (Live) from Worldmeters
"Any person presenting a red and white OHIP card after July 1, 2020 will be required to pay for all health services until a new photo health card is obtained."