Kids Come First Care Clinic and COVID-19 testing move to temporary new location at CHEO

Ottawa, Ontario, March 24, 2022 — The Kids Come First Care Clinic for COVID-19 has moved from the Brewer Arena to a temporary new location on CHEO’s main campus at 401 Smyth Road, Ottawa. COVID-19 testing for eligible children and youth has also moved from the Brewer Arena to CHEO.

The Kids Come First Care Clinic is now available at CHEO for in-person assessment and care of children and youth with viral illnesses, which include a fever, cough or runny nose. The clinic is staffed by community-based physicians who are partners in the Kids Come First Health Team. The clinic is by appointment only. Since opening in 2021, the Kids Come First Care Clinic has provided in-person assessment and care for over 6,000 children and youth who would not have received it elsewhere,

COVID-19 testing for children and youth who meet Ottawa Public Health criteria will also now be provided at the CHEO main campus. Children and youth who are eligible for testing can book an appointment to pick up and drop off a DIY test kit at CHEO main entrance, 401 Smyth Road.

Open for two years at the Brewer Park Arena, the CHEO COVID-19 Assessment Centre provided over 185,000 COVID-19 tests for children, youth and families.

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Media contact

media@cheo.on.ca

About Kids Come First Health Team

The Kids Come First Health Team includes 60+ partner organizations, 1,000+ physicians, and 2,500+ individuals who are committed to making child and youth health services easier to obtain; helping eastern Ontario’s Ontario Health Teams provide care to children and youth; and to supporting physicians and clinical leaders who provide care to children, youth and families. Our initial priority populations include: children and youth with mental health and addictions as well as those with medically complex needs.

About CHEO

Based in Canada’s capital, CHEO is a globally renowned health institution with a mission to provide exceptional care and support to children, youth and their families. Opening our doors in 1974, we offer a full range of specialized pediatric care and services to children from eastern and northern Ontario, western Quebec and Nunavut. Our site is home to a hospital, a children’s treatment centre, a school, a research institute, and is affiliated with the University of Ottawa as an academic health science centre. Named Canada’s best health-care employer by Forbes in 2024 and 2025, we are home to more than 6,500 staff, clinicians, scientists and researchers, as well as volunteers – all of whom work together to help children and youth achieve their best lives.