Sherbrooke Record

New COVID-19 screening centre in Sherbrooke

- By Matthew Mccully By Matthew Mccully

To increase the number of COVID-19 screening tests in the population and in the midst of a progressiv­e deconfinem­ent, the population of the Estrie now has access to a designated screening centre (CDD) without an appointmen­t.

The first CDD opened its doors on Tuesday, May 5, at 1 p.m., at 500 Murray Street in Sherbrooke.

Users who meet the criteria for testing can present at the CDD any day of the week from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Anyone who has one of the following symptoms: fever, recent cough or an increase in chronic cough, breathing difficulti­es or sudden loss of smell or taste can be tested.

The target population is also those who present two of the following symptoms: sore throat, diarrhea, general malaise (muscle aches, headache, severe fatigue or loss of appetite).

This CDD is complement­ary to other screening sites such as the Designated Assessment Centres (DACS) in Sherbrooke, Magog, Granby and Cowansvill­e as well as the emergency rooms in Lac-mégantic and Asbestos.

Robin-marie Coleman, Assistant President Director General of the CIUSSS de l’estrie-chus, explained how the new CDD will operate.

“It’s quite short,” Coleman said, explaining the process, which involves a few screening questions and a swab of the nose and throat takes around five minutes.

When people arrive at the CDD, a

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When Sara Lebourveau was told by her family that they wouldn’t be able to get together for her birthday party this year because of COVID-19, she replied, “Oh well, that’s not a problem, don’t worry, there will be others.”

On April 30 Lebourveau, who resides at the Wales Home in Richmond, turned 108 years old.

Her family organized a surprise party via videoconfe­rencing to celebrate.

As luck would have it Lebourveau’s great-granddaugh­ter Becky Gilchrist Gilchrist happens to work at the Wales Home and is assigned to her floor.

“We’re so blessed to have my daughter working there,” explained Carolyn Leonard, Lebourveau’s granddaugh­ter.

With a bit of tech support and a lot of organizati­on, members of Lebourveau’s family from all over the country joined the virtual birthday party.

It wasn’t easy organizing the time, Leonard said, because there is family in PEI, BC and Alberta.

They opted for 5:45 on Wednesday,

April 29, the evening before Lebourveau’s birthday to surprise her.

Her great-granddaugh­ter was on hand to help with the set up.

Lebourveau has seven grandchild­ren, 11 great-grandchild­ren and six great-great-grandchild­ren.

The youngest generation ranges in age from three months to 10 years old.

Only two family members were unavailabl­e because they had to work.

Leonard said the family went by age from oldest to youngest, taking turns to share a birthday message with

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