SOAHAC is open for essential services during COVID-19.
We have suspended many of our services to help keep people safe and stop the spread of COVID-19. This includes the cancellation of all group programming, traditional healing visits, and non-urgent clinical and mental health appointments. However, we are currently open to provide the following essential services:
- Essential primary care
- Indigenous palliative care
- COVID-19 assessment, testing and support
- Counselling
- Support, navigation and connection for individuals and families in isolation
- Emergency dental services in London
SOAHAC staff are available for questions and to support you in any way we can, keeping physical distancing protocols in mind. This includes the use of telephone and virtual appointments wherever possible.
If you have questions or would like to schedule a telephone appointment, please contact the SOAHAC site nearest to you. For emergency dental assessment and care planning, call the SOAHAC Dental Clinic directly at 519-914-0533. If you must visit SOAHAC and have respiratory symptoms including fever, cough, or shortness of breath, please call to inform us prior to coming in for your appointment.
SOAHAC will continue to monitor the outbreak across affected communities in southwest Ontario. We will keep you informed about our response as changes arise and needs evolve.
Essential Primary Care Services
Please continue to call us for services if you:
- Are pregnant
- Have a chronic illness that has quickly changed or gotten worse (diabetes, COPD, asthma, etc.)
- Think you have an infection
- Hurt yourself and think you need medical attention
- Are having a mental health crisis
- Have new pain in your stomach/abdomen
- Have new onset headache
- Need palliative care services
- Have recently gotten out of the hospital and are on new medications
- Your child needs a routine immunization
- Have any other questions or concerns about your health care needs
Our staff will work with you to figure out what options are available. This might be a visit to the clinic, or a telephone or video appointment.
COVID-19 Screening and Testing at SOAHAC
In addition to offering testing to our registered clients, we are expanding COVID-19 screening and testing to members of Delaware Nation at Moraviantown, Chippewas of the Thames, Munsee-Delaware, and Oneida Nations at our Chippewa site, as well as First Nations, Metis and Inuit people at SOAHAC-Windsor. You do not need to be a SOAHAC client to be tested at these locations.
Screening is done over the phone and you will receive an appointment date and time for testing. Learn more in our announcement about CMO community screening and testing services, or announcement about services in Windsor.
We are in the process of confirming COVID-19 screening and testing at our sites in London and Owen Sound and the other First Nations communities we support. We will release this information as it becomes available.
Testing is also provided at Assessment Centres set up by Ontario Health in Windsor, London, and Owen Sound.
Media: SOAHAC COVID-19 Screening and Testing Questions and Answers
Self Assessment Tool
If you think you have coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms or have been in close contact with someone who has it, use this self-assessment tool to from the Ontario Ministry of Health to help determine how to seek further care.
Public Health Resources
Follow your local public health unit for local information about COVID-19. If you live in a First Nations community, please check with your community leadership for relevant updates that may affect you and your family.
Windsor Essex County Health Unit
Help Stop the Spread of COVID-19
We must all do our part to flatten the curve. SOAHAC urges everyone to follow the physical distancing protocols given by public health officials to stay home unless it is absolutely essential to venture out.
- Wash your hands with soap and water thoroughly and often
- Keep surfaces clean and disinfected
- Avoid touching your face
- Cough and sneeze into your sleeve or a tissue,
disposing of the tissue immediately and washing your hands - Stay home if you are sick
Stay Updated
Follow the Ontario Ministry of Health website to stay updated about novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Ontario.
