Osler surpasses 100,000 COVID-19 tests completed across its sites

Hospital has performed more COVID-19 tests than any other hospital in Ontario

William Osler Health System (Osler) is recognizing a significant milestone this week, marking the completion of 100,000 COVID-19 tests across its sites on Sunday, July 26.

Osler was one of the first hospitals in the province to open a COVID-19 Assessment Centre at the beginning of the pandemic, and it has since completed more tests than any other hospital in Ontario. The 100,000 figure represents tests completed at Osler’s Assessment Centres in Brampton and Etobicoke, and testing (based on clinical discretion) in Osler’s hospitals.

“Testing is so critically important, particularly in this community as it continues to be challenged by higher numbers of COVID-19 cases,” said Kiki Ferrari, Executive Vice President, Clinical Operations. “Osler is pleased to be working with our dedicated partners at Ontario Health, the City of Brampton, local public health units, and health organizations across the region to make testing more convenient and accessible for a safer, healthier community.”

In the last month, Osler has completed (on average) more than 1,200 tests per day across its sites. It also recently relocated its original ‘walk-in’ Assessment Centre in Brampton to a drive-thru model at a popular city location to better serve the community with expanded options for COVID-19 testing. Since the new location opened in mid-June, the Centre has been testing an average of 540 patients per day. Osler’s Assessment Centre located close to its Etobicoke General Hospital site tests an average of 550 patients per day.

“Osler teams have stepped up in a big way throughout this pandemic, including through the swift opening and dedicated, ongoing staffing of its Assessment Centres to increase safe and convenient testing for the community,” continued Ferrari. “The staff and physicians working at these Centres have endured the seasons’ extreme elements – blizzard-like conditions, extreme heat and humidity, torrential rain, tornado warnings, and long days on their feet in full PPE to perform continuous COVID-19 tests. We commend them along with the rest of our team for going beyond each and every day.”