Partnering members of the Niagara Ontario Health Team-Équipe Santé Ontario Niagara (NOHT-ÉSON), namely primary care providers and Niagara Health, are opening four COVID, Cold, and Flu Care Clinics (CCFCCs) across the region. Health-care professionals are equipped to test, assess, and provide treatment for people with COVID-19 and other cold and flu-like illnesses.
- If a person has symptoms of a respiratory illness, they are encouraged to call their primary care provider as the first option for guidance and care.
- Should a person not have a primary care provider or their symptoms are worsening, they should book an appointment at a CCFCC to determine next steps.
- If someone develops severe symptoms, they are urged go to their nearest emergency department or call 9-1-1.
In addition to visiting a primary care provider, a CCFCC, or the emergency department, Niagara residents are reminded that they can access Health Connect Ontario’s assessment tool, visit UrgentCareOntario.ca for an online appointment, or stop by a walk-in clinic. Niagara Health has also prepared Know Your Options, a resource that outlines when and where to access care.
Below, you will find some frequently asked questions prepared by Ontario Health.
What are the symptoms of COVID-19 and other cold and flu-like illnesses?
Below are some of the symptoms you may have when you have COVID-19 or other cold and flu-like illnesses:
- Fever or chills
- Cough (not related to other causes such as allergies)
- Difficulty breathing
- Decreased or loss of taste or smell
- Runny nose or nasal congestion
- Headache
- Extreme tiredness
- Sore throat
- Muscle aches or joint pain
- Gastrointestinal symptoms (such as vomiting or diarrhea)
- Abdominal pain (not related to other causes)
- Pink eye (not related to other causes)
When should I visit a COVID, Cold, and Flu Care Clinic?
Call your primary care provider (family doctor or nurse practitioner) first if you or your child
have the symptoms above and feel that you need medical care.
Your primary care provider will give you advice about what to do next. This may include:
- Caring for yourself or your child at home
- Seeing your primary care provider either virtually or in-person
- Going to a COVID, Cold, and Flu Care Clinic
Consider visiting a COVID, Cold, and Flu Care Clinic if:
- You do not have a primary care provider
- Your symptoms or your child’s symptoms are getting worse or are not improving, and
you feel that you need medical care - You have been told by any health professional to go to a COVID, Cold, and Flu Care Clinic
- You are at high risk of getting very sick from COVID-19 and you qualify for COVID-19
testing and treatment
You can also consider contacting Health Connect Ontario or a walk-in clinic. At Health Connect
Ontario, you can get advice from a nurse at any time of day by calling 811 or by online chat at
www.ontario.ca/HealthConnectOntario.
You might also find this tip sheet made by family doctors helpful. It provides tips on deciding
when to seek care for a child with respiratory illness and how to support your child at home.
The COVID, Cold, and Flu Care Clinics and their hours of operation are listed below.
All appointments for the Niagara Health CCFCC must be booked by calling 905-378-4647, ext. 41985. The Niagara Health CCFCC are closed on statutory holidays.
All appointments for the primary care CCFCCs must be booked by calling 289-267-2879. Primary care CCFCCs are closed on statutory holidays.
People are asked to bring their health card with them to their appointment. However, a health card is not a requirement to receive care at a COVID, Cold, and Flu Care Clinic.
Centre de santé communautaire Hamilton/Niagara
Vanier site – 1 Vanier Drive, Welland
Saturday – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Niagara Health
Niagara Falls site – 5546 Portage Road, Niagara Falls
Monday – 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Wednesday – 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Friday – 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Niagara North Family Health Team
Carlton site – 145 Carlton Street, Unit 7, St. Catharines
Monday – 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Tuesday – 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Wednesday – 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Thursday – 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Friday – 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Niagara North Family Health Team
Virgil site – 1882 Niagara Stone Road, Niagara-on-the-Lake
Thursday – 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Friday – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Quest Community Health Centre
145 Queenston Street, St. Catharines
Tuesday – 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Wednesday – 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Thursday – 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.