FILE PHOTO - A health-care worker prepares to swab a man at a walk-in COVID-19 test clinic in Montreal North, Sunday, May 10, 2020.
Image Credit: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes
November 04, 2020 - 3:18 PM
The Interior Health Authority has established a new, larger COVID-19 testing centre in Vernon.
According to an Interior Health media release, the new testing centre will allow more people to be tested daily.
The new facility that opened Nov. 2, is located at the Vernon Health Centre, 1440 14 Ave. The previous locations was at the Vernon Urgent and Primary Care Centre downtown.
"The testing centre will increase the daily number of tests being performed and allow the Urgent and Primary Care Centre to focus on same-day primary care services," the release reads. "Although the majority of COVID-19 testing will occur at the new testing centre, the Urgent and Primary Care Centre will perform some tests in special circumstances and retain the ability to absorb volume during periods of surging demand."
Interior Health says online booking is available for most COVID-19 tests, and testing is available for anyone experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 as well as those who have been sent for testing by a physician, nurse practitioner, or other public health workers.
Interior Health recommends you should get a test if you are experiencing a fever, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, loss of sense of taste or smell. Other milder symptoms may also include a runny nose, fatigue, body aches (muscles and joints aching), diarrhea, headache, sore throat, vomiting and red eyes.
The health authority also reminds people of the importance of following COVID-19 precautions by staying home if you have symptoms, maintaining physical distancing, and using a mask when distancing is not possible. People should also remember to wash their hands regularly and not to touch their face.
For more information from Interior Health regarding testing go here.
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