Westview Medical

Yes! Our office is open and is still seeing patients for appointments. We have adopted the following precautions to ensure the safety of our patients and staff: Hand sanitizer stations, tissues, and masks available on entry. Glass protection at our front desks. Increased sanitation after every patient visit. As people are becoming more and more vaccinated, and our numbers have been low in Thunder Bay, we are limiting the amount of telephone/video appointments we will be doing. Dr. Klassen prefers to book patients in person.

The Ministry of Ontario has temporarily allowed the use of virtual appointments in the wake of COVID-19. Our office offers virtual appointments via telephone or video (link is sent via email). Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee the exact time that Dr. Klassen will call, even if an appointment was originally booked at a specific time. Our office has been extremely busy in this new era. We will do our best to phone you the same day, but we do apologize in advance if it may take an extra day. Currently we are offering very limited virtual care appointments as Dr. Klassen prefers in person now that patients are quickly being vaccinated and Thunder Bay's numbers have gone down.

Many walk-in clinics in Thunder Bay have shut down their in-person visits to prevent further community spread. If you are planning on attending a clinic elsewhere in town, please phone first to see whether they are open. Our office has started our walk in clinic back in full swing. We are currently offering in person walk-in's only. For more details, please visit our Walk-In page.

No, our office does not have the resources available to test for COVID-19. Please check out the question "How do I get a COVID-19 test?" on the General Information tab.

Yes! Our current supply contains Pfizer vaccines for patients under age 30, and Moderna vaccines for patients over age 30. With limited booking availability, getting your vaccine via the Thunder Bay District Health Unit will be faster than booking with us. If you are interested in getting your COVID-19 vaccine with us, please call the office to be added to our next date we will offer to administer vaccines. For more information, check out the COVID-19 Vaccines tab on this page.

The 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) causes a respiratory infection that originated in Wuhan, China. The first reported case was back in December 2019, and the World Health Organization (WHO) officially classified it as a pandemic on March 11, 2020. The number of countries now reporting cases of COVID-19 has expanded and continues to change on a daily basis. The criteria for being tested for COVID-19 includes: Fever, cough and/or shortness of breath Recently traveled to an affected area within the last 14 days OR Close contact with someone sick who has travelled recently OR Close contact with someone who is probable or positive for COVID-19 Symptoms range from mild (like the flu and other common respiratory infections) to severe. The most common symptoms include: fever cough difficulty breathing muscle aches fatigue headache sore throat runny nose Most people with common human coronavirus illnesses will recover on their own. However there are COVID-19 vaccines that are becoming readily available to the public.

The world is still trying to figure out how to live amongst a pandemic. The number one priority is health and safety - for yourself, your close friends/family, and everyone. We need to be diligent at making sure we do not pass on this contagious virus. Currently, the following recommendations include (but are not limited to): Wash your hands often with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Wear a face mask/covering when leaving your home. Avoid touching your face. Cough and sneeze into your elbow or a tissue. Stay home when you are sick (and even if you're not!). Avoid contact with people who are sick.

The situation continues to evolve. As of March 1, 2021, Thunder Bay is in Code Grey = Lockdown. As of April 3, 2021, we are in a state-of-emergency province-wide shut down as Ontario enters the third wave of the pandemic. Please view this TBDHU webpage for more information into what that means. With this COVID-19 pandemic, we ask for patience within the medical community. Many locations or procedures that were deemed "elective" are now experiencing higher-than-ever wait times. Here at WVM, we saw a sharp rise in the number of phone calls as well as urgent calls. Many places (like our own) have begun to reopen to the public for in-person appointments. It is best to clarify what type of appointment method to expect.

If you think you may have COVID-19, stay at home and do not leave unless it is a medical emergency. Self-isolate from others in your household to reduce the risk of transmitting to them. Your household members should also monitor for symptoms, and if possible, refrain from being in close contact with others (or self-isolate themselves) just in case it is a viral illness and to reduce the chance of even further spread. Please get tested to see if your current illness is COVID-19. It helps determine whether or not others you've been in contact need to be notified to get testing, and as well it helps the public health understand if COVID-19 continues to spread in town. Our office does NOT have the equipment or resources available to do COVID-19 tests here. However if you have any questions regarding COVID-19 or receiving assistance, you may still phone our office at 807-622-3737.

The COVID-19 vaccine is a method to become immune to COVID-19 infection. If we all get vaccinated, it helps to slow down or stop transmission of COVID-19. The COVID-19 vaccine inserts mRNA - a messenger to tell your body to make a protein found in the virus, so that it will make antibodies to fight the real virus if you come into contact with it. It does not have any live COVID-19 virus. There are currently 4 vaccines available in Canada. They went through a series of monitoring and testing and approval for the public. We recommend checking out the resources found on the Ontario COVID-19 Vaccines website and the TBDHU COVID-19 Vaccine Facts website.

According to the Ontario COVID-19 Vaccine page, there were three phases for immunization. Now, as of May 23, 2021, all patients turning 12 on the day of their appointment are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.

Last updated: May 31, 2021 As of May 23, 2021, anyone ages 12 and older are able to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. There are a number of vaccination clinics popping up in town. You can book through the TBDHU Clinic at the Coliseum, various pharmacies in town, as well as your doctors office. Our current supply contains Pfizer vaccines for patients under age 30, and Moderna vaccines for patients over age 30. With limited booking availability, getting your vaccine via the Thunder Bay District Health Unit will be faster than booking with us. If you are interested in getting your COVID-19 vaccine with us, please call the office to be added to our next date we will offer to administer vaccines.

This pandemic is unprecedented in modern history. Many of us are worried, feeling overwhelmed, or experiencing exacerbated mental illness symptoms. It is normal to have fear and anxiety. However, there are a number of resources to help you manage your mental wellness at this time of uncertainty. Click here for some tips on how to manage mental wellness amid COVID-19 by the Canadian Mental Health Association. Click here for other tips offered by the Government of Canada. Or you can take a look at the various Online Mental Health resources list we have compiled.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding these new policies, please do not hesitate to contact us. Below is a list of various links that we have found useful for ourselves and our patients. Websites: Thunder Bay District Health Unit: COVID-19 Ontario: COVID-19 Ontario: How Ontario Is Responding Public Health Ontario: COVID-19 Outbreak Update Handouts: COVID-19: What you Need to Know Unnerved by COVID-19? How to Self-Monitor How to Self-Isolate How Close Contacts can Self Isolate

Feel free to reach out on our Contact Form with any questions, comments, or concerns.