Eastern Health is setting up a new respiratory assessment clinic for referral-based appointments, which will open today.

The clinic, located at 50 Mundy Pond Road, will operate from Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., with the possibility of expanded hours based on community need.

It will assess patients who have symptoms of respiratory illnesses including the flu and COVID-19, and provide treatment as well as COVID swabbing as needed. People may be referred to the clinic through 811 or their family physician.

COVID-19 testing clinics across the region will continue to operate.

People who are not seriously ill are reminded to avoid hospital emergency departments.

Eastern Health is also asking people not to report for an appointment more than 10 minutes prior.