After weeks of limiting the number of tests provided to people, the province’s COVID-19 testing strategy has expanded to include anyone with symptoms – however mild.
According to Island Health, not everyone needs to get tested, such as people without any symptoms.
The symptoms of COVID-19 are similar to other respiratory illnesses, including the flu and common cold. Those symptoms include fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, painful swallowing, a stuffy or runny nose, the loss of sense of smell or appetite, muscle aches, fatigue and headaches.
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Now, any physician or nurse practitioner can order a COVID-19 test based on their clinical judgment.
Those who don’t have a primary care practitioner can call Island Health’s Call Centre at 1-844-901-8442 to be assessed for testing. People living in the Mount Waddington region should call 250-902-6091.
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Appointments for COVID-19 testing must be pre-booked through a primary care provider or Island Health’s Call Centre. Testing sites are unable to accommodate unscheduled or walk-in visits.
Island Health asks that people do not go to a hospital emergency department to get tested for COVID-19, however, people who are experiencing a medical emergency should call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
To find the closest testing site, also known as a collection centre, visit bit.ly/35igf2S.
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