Island Health expands COVID-19 testing in Nanaimo

Island Health says it is doubling its capacity for COVID-19 testing in Nanaimo with a new testing site at Vancouver Island University.

A press release from the health authority says the new testing location is now open at VIU campus at 500 Fifth St. and replaces a site that had been on Grant Avenue. The university campus testing site has two additional lanes “to double the capacity for testing,” Island Health says.

People with COVID-19-like symptoms are asked to use the online self-assessment tool at http://bc.thrive.health, then, as directed, call 1-844-901-8442, then expect to hear back from Island Health about scheduling a test.

Testing will happen by appointment only, daily from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Island Health says staff on site will be able to work out of heated kiosks. Mouth rinse and gargle tests are available for children and adults. For more on symptoms and testing, visit www.islandhealth.ca/covid19testing.

The health authority, in the press release, expressed thanks to the university for supporting Island Health’s pandemic response plan.

There were 58 new COVID-19 cases reported in Island Health over the past three days and there are now 236 active COVID-19 cases on Vancouver Island, 141 of those cases on the central Island. There are four COVID-19 patients in intensive care in Island Health, with six other patients hospitalized.