Story 12: When the COVID-19 Care & Testing Centre Opened

In March 2020, Ottawa confirmed its first COVID-19 case, declared a state of emergency, and imposed lockdowns. To support the growing needs of patients and COVID-19 testing, QCH opened the Moodie COVID-19 Care & Testing Centre on April 6, 2020.  

Voices Featured

The video features Dr. Joseph Pollard, Robyn Maxwell, Susan Sallaj Ginn, Wendy Morielaz, and Eli Brillinger as they reflect on the rapid transformation of a school into an assessment centre in just two weeks. They share their experiences testing and treating patients for COVID-19 and other critical conditions, managing long line-ups, and working tirelessly to serve the west-end community. 

In the early days of the pandemic, fear and uncertainty were widespread. QCH staff across various departments stepped into unfamiliar roles to respond to rapidly evolving needs.