This is what Canada's first coronavirus clinic looks like
Canada's first coronavirus clinic officially opened on Monday, and two more are expected to follow.
The first coronavirus clinic is located in the emergency room of Montreal's Hôtel-Dieu Hospital. It offers several specialized services, including screenings and blood tests.
The clinic doesn't accept walk-ins; all appointments must be made by calling Info-Santé 811 beforehand.
Quebec’s health minister Danielle McCann & public health director Dr. Horacio Arruda announcing the opening of the first designated clinic in the province for #COVID19 testing today. It is in the former emergency room of Montreal’s Hôtel Dieu hospital. The ER was closed in 2017. pic.twitter.com/hvqIVzL6iD
— Ainslie MacLellan (@CBCAinslie) March 9, 2020
L'Hôtel-Dieu was Montréal's first hospital, founded in 1645.
People visiting the coronavirus clinic will be given a glimpse of the impressive stone exterior before entering the old emergency room, which closed in 2017.
Montreal's Hôtel-Dieu hospital ER should stay open, coalition says https://t.co/pkQiFz6WwJ pic.twitter.com/DbsGmnLlVG
— CBC Montreal (@CBCMontreal) June 6, 2016
Patients are greeted by a sign as they enter the hospital; it reads, "Welcome to the COVID-19 clinic."
The Hôtel-Dieu hospital is seeing patients again, as the Quebec government opens the first of three specialized clinics across the province to handle #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/vk4BOEDOG3
— BraydenJaggerHaines (@BraydenJagger) March 10, 2020
As you might expect, Montreal's coronavirus clinic is equipped with multiple hand sanitizer stations.
Doctors and nurses also have access to specialized kits containing gloves, masks, and specimen bags labelled with the biohazard symbol.
20 patients ont été accueillis hier à la clinique désignée de la COVID-19 à Montréal. Elle a ouvert ses portes à l’ancienne urgence de l’Hôtel-Dieu. Pour l’instant, trois personnes ont un rendez-vous aujourd’hui. pic.twitter.com/L4EPXqjeV0
— Diana González (@dianakgonzalez) March 10, 2020
The clinic also has individual white cubicles labelled with letters, allowing patients to be tested while reducing the risks of contamination.
Quebec’s first designated #COVID2019 #coronavirus testing clinic at Hotel Dieu had 20 patients on opening day (yesterday). If you think you have symptoms, you MUST first call info santé at 811 and they will give you an appointment. There are NO walk-ins. pic.twitter.com/ufi9nZQym8
— Jay Turnbull (@TurnbullJay) March 10, 2020
Staff — all of whom volunteered to work at the clinic — are dressed in protective gear, including a surgical mask, visor, gown and gloves.
All staff must wear this at all times. #CJAD800 pic.twitter.com/47CRHH4Rhz
— Elizabeth Zogalis (@EZogalis) March 10, 2020
And the security guards wear surgical masks, too.
Ouverture ce matin de la clinique de détection du coronavirus sur l’ancien site de l’hôpital Hôtel Dieu. Les Media étais invité à une visite ce matin tôt . pic.twitter.com/5uenXlK6I5
— FSauvéRC (@FSauveRC) March 10, 2020
The clinic will stay open seven days a week, for 12 hours each day.
Montreal will run an additional two specialized clinics, which will open their doors on March 11 and 16.
Twenty patients have already visited the first location.
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