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Online booking for COVID-19 tests coming soon throughout IH region

Nelson Daily Staff
By Nelson Daily Staff
October 21st, 2020

As British Columbians deal with the second wave of COVID-19 following another day of high number of documented new cases — Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry confirmed Tuesday 167 new cases in BC — Interior Health Authority announced the public will soon have access to new, easier ways to book a testing appointments for the virus with the launch of online booking for all IH COVID-19 Community Collection Centres.

Interior Health, announcing 13 new COVID-19 cases in the region Tuesday for a total of 47 active cases, said testing is available for those experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 and those who have been sent for testing by their primary care provider or Public Health.

“Beginning (Tuesday) Oct. 20, appointments can be booked online for COVID-19 tests at Community Collection Centres in Williams Lake, 100 Mile House, and Penticton,” Interior Health media release said.

“The online booking tool can be found at www.interiorhealth.ca.

Interior Health said COVID-19 Test Booking phone line is also available for these communities at 1-877-740-7747, seven days a week, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Interior Health said between Oct. 20-30, online booking and the Test Booking phone line are rolling out for each of IH’s 23 COVID-19 Community Collection Centres.

Those testing sites in the Kootenay and Boundary regions are in the process of opening include:

  • Castlegar – Castlegar and District Community Health Centre
  • Creston – Creston Valley Hospital
  • Grand Forks – Boundary District Hospital
  • Nelson – Kootenay Lake Hospital
  • Salmo – Salmo Wellness Centre
  • Trail – Kiro Wellness Centre

Interior Health suggests the public check out the Testing Information page link for updates on when other testing sites will be available to the public.

Testing is available for anyone with cold, influenza, or COVID-19-like symptoms, including:

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

IH reminds the public of the importance of following COVID-19 precautions:

  • Stay home and avoid travel if you have symptoms, even mild ones.
  • Maintain physical distancing (two metres apart) and use masks when distancing is not possible.
  • Wash your hands regularly and do not touch your face.

BCCDC recommends that you limit your social group to 5-10 people, outside of your household members. Getting together outside, with lots of space between you, is the safest way to visit with people outside of your social group.

See BCCDC for Common Questions about COVID-19.

Categories: GeneralHealth

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