Six flu assessment centres will open across Ottawa on Wednesday to take the burden off the city's emergency departments, Ottawa Public Health has announced.

The clinics will run seven days a week, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the following community health centres:

• Sandy Hill Community Health Centre, 221 Nelson St.
• Somerset West Community Health Centre, 55 Eccles St.
• Centretown Community Health Centre, 420 Cooper St.
• Dempsey Community Centre, 1895 Russell Rd.
• Carlington Community Health Centre, 900 Merivale Rd.
• Pinecrest Queensway Community Health Centre, 1365 Richmond Rd.

In a news release issued Tuesday, Ottawa Public Health said while most cases of flu can be treated at home, people whose symptoms worsen quickly and those at risk of severe complications should see a family physician or go to a flu assessment centre.

People at risk of severe complications include:

• Children under 5 years of age, especially those under 2.
• Seniors over 65 years of age
• Pregnant women.
• People who have a cardiac disease, chronic pulmonary disease, diabetes, cancer, weakened immune systems, renal anemia or morbid obesity.

Ottawa Public Health is asking residents to seek medical attention from their existing health-care provider before going to a flu assessment centre. Residents who do not have a family doctor or who cannot access their usual care provider within 48 hours should go to a flu assessment centre.