Montreal's old Htel-Dieu hospital to reopen as specialized clinic to test for COVID-19

Montreal's shuttered Htel-DieuHospital will become one of several specialized clinics in Quebec treatingCOVID-19 patients,according to the Ministry of Health.

The former hospital is still home tooutpatient clinics and administrativeoffices for Montreal's French-language superhospital(CHUM).

In the coming days, though,Htel-Dieu's oldemergency room will be ready to welcome patients with symptoms of the novel coronavirus.

Health Minister Danielle McCann saidlast week that specialized clinics would be set up in a number of Quebec regions, including Quebec City and the Montrgie.

That announcement followed complaints by doctors who said family clinics weren't preparedto prevent the spread of the virus.

McCann said health officials were readyingcubicles to be installed in the coronavirus clinics, allowing patients to be tested while reducing the risks of contamination.

The clinics will also ease pressure onERs clogged with people looking to get tested for the virus, the chief of infectious diseases at the Jewish General Hospital,Karl Weiss, said this weekend.

Before being able to visit one of the new clinics, Weiss said patients will have to get an appointmentfrom an Info-Santnurseby calling 811.