The outbreak has been declared at the hospital's transitional care unit. On Jan. 9, a COVID-19 outbreak was declared at RVH's integrated stroke and rehabilitation unit

As of Saturday, seven patients at the hospital's integrated stroke and rehabilitation unit and two staff members have tested positive for the novel coronavirus.

Barrie, Ont.'s COVID-19 assessment centre, which is operated through the Royal Victoria Regional Centre (RVH), is transitioning from drive-thru testing to indoor appointments.

Professionally staffed and fully-equipped, the field hospital is not a unit for COVID patients but for patients who are medically stable, with an estimated stay of three to five days.

Officials say the move will support health-care workers and residents during the upcoming flu season as the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic continues.

On Monday, five local government and health organizations signed the Barrie Health Accord, focusing on the long-term health and well-being of the municipality.

Barrie officials say the accord is the 'first agreement of its type in Canada.'

The County of Simcoe says 37 residents and 22 staff have tested positive for the novel coronavirus at the Simcoe Manor long-term care home in Beeton, Ont.

'The medical records do not establish that the woman suffered any 'serious injury' within the SIU's mandate,' the organization's director said.

RVH is hoping to have the pop-up assessment centre open up within the next week, with a longer term plan for November.