COVID-19 Assessment Centre

Okay a few things; if you are thinking of going here instead of brewer park or anywhere in Ottawa I would say it’s worth it

1. I would get there no later than 7:15-7:30am. They open at nine but I got there at 6:50am and I didn’t get tested till about 1:30-1:40pm. At 8:45am a nurse came to my car and told me that I wouldn’t probably get the test till after noon(lunchtime) but that I would definitely get tested same day so I was prepared to be in that line for a minute.

2. I felt more in control than I would’ve if I was standing in a line because I was in the comfort of my own car and we weren’t stuck in one spot the entire day. We were moving from one spot to another and it was all a very organized process. I would rather wait at the drive thru for 7 hours than stand somewhere for 4 hours with a mask on. I didn’t have to wear a mask inside my car(my windows were up for the most part and AC/heat was on).

3. If you want to go there make sure you have snacks, downloaded Netflix shows on your phone and have a good portable charger/car charger with you. There’s porta potties if you feel comfortable using them( I didn’t) and make sure you put your mask every time you roll down your windows or leave your car (Covid is airborne)

4. The Lastly get there as early as you can!!! I got there at 6:50ish and was number 214( I don’t think they see more than 350 people a day) and by 7:15 the line behind me was crazy.

The nurses, parking attendants and etc were so professional, nice and were very helpful and I would totally go there again( I hope I never have to again though)

Showed up at 7am (2 hours before opening) and was already lined up 1 km down the road. By 1140am, I was given a number (I was 288) and got swabbed at 1:47pm.
They reached capacity for the site before they even opened. I believe the last car they took was given number 315.
Staff was very polite and pleasant.
Be prepared to spend the whole day there.

We showed up at 7:30am this morning and the line up was down the road. We got to the end to line up and the guy said they are full for the day. He said people start to line up at 5am. This clinic opens at 9am. This is crazy. Something needs to be done in Eastern Ontario for testing. To have to wake your kids up at 4am to wait in line for 4 plus hours to get tested or drive from site to site trying to get in, or waiting on hold to book appointments for 3.5hrs to get an appointment a week later.

Excellent system here. Only took about 10 min and it's a drive through, so you never leave your car. They did mention it can take up to 2 hours depending on the time of day. They have friendly and efficient staff too.

Great experience. The test is not scary or painful AT ALL like the pictures make you think. Feels like pool water up your nose for literally 2 seconds.