A drive-thru COVID-19 testing site is available at the Urgent and Primary Care Centre on Harvey Avenue.

(CARLI BERRY / iNFOnews.ca)

As there have been no new Kelowna COVID-19 cases reported in the last few days, Interior Health is closing its temporary test site.

The temporary testing site opened, Aug. 4, at the Community Health Services Centre on Doyle Avenue in response to the high number of COVID-19 cases in Kelowna among younger people who live, socialize and work downtown. 

Interior Health intended for the site to be only open for a few weeks with an extension if needed.

READ MORE: COVID-19 testing and assessment centre opens in response to Kelowna cluster

COVID-19 testing will continue to be offered at Interior Health’s Testing and Assessment Centre at the Kelowna Urgent and Primary Care Centre on Harvey Avenue, by appointment from 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., seven days a week to those with any symptoms, according an Interior Health media release. Appointments are required and can be made by phone at 250-469-6985.

Interior Health communications officer Susan Duncan said there are 158 COVID-19 cases linked to Kelowna as of yesterday, Aug. 10, the same number as in the past few days. Nine cases are active and in isolation.

"There were 108 tests done at the temporary test site while it was open. Those numbers can be accommodated at the (Urgent and Primary Care Centre), with all staff and resources in one location," she said via an emailed statement.

Duncan said the demand for testing has decreased at the primary care centre and it has the capacity to handle the testing.

According to Interior Health, the symptoms of COVID-19 include:

• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Other milder symptoms may include: runny nose, fatigue, body aches (muscles and joints aching), diarrhea, headache, sore throat, vomiting and red eyes.

Interior Health reminds residents to stay home and avoid travel if you have any symptoms, maintain physical distancing, wash your hands frequently and avoid touching your face and keep gatherings small.

Find information on Interior Health's COVID-19 testing here.

Find information on public exposures within the Interior Health region here.

Answers to frequently asked questions are available on the British Columbia Centre for Disease Control website here.

- This story was updated Aug. 11 at 3:30 p.m. to include additional comments from Susan Duncan.

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