**** HEALTH/WELLNESS Media Release
Enhanced COVID-19 Testing Process for Nova Scotians
————————————————————-
Starting today, Oct. 28, online booking for COVID-19 testing appointments is available for any Nova Scotian getting a test through primary assessment centres in the Central Zone or at the IWK Health Centre in Halifax.
“Allowing people to book their own COVID-19 test will significantly reduce the wait time from when someone first starts experiencing symptoms, to the time they receive their test results,” said Premier Stephen McNeil. “With the new process, it should only take 10 minutes to book an appointment.”
Central Zone includes Halifax Regional Municipality, Eastern Shore and West Hants. Online booking is expected to be available in the Northern, Western and Eastern Zones by the second week of November.
“We are continuing to streamline the testing process to allow Nova Scotians to book their COVID-19 test more quickly,” said Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia’s chief medical officer of health. “This will allow us to detect the virus sooner and manage any new cases in our province.”
People who complete the online self-assessment and require a test will automatically be directed to the online booking site to book an appointment. If more than one person in a household is exhibiting symptoms, each person will need to complete the online self-assessment to schedule their own appointment.
Tests can only be booked online after completing the online self-assessment and should be scheduled within 48 hours of completing the assessment.
811 will book tests on behalf of people who require one but are unable to access the online self-assessment or wish to speak with a nurse about their symptoms.
People living in a health zone that does not have online booking available will continue to receive a phone call within 24 to 48 hours of completing the online self-assessment to book a test until online booking is rolled out in their area.
Quick Facts:
— the gargle test to diagnose COVID-19 in children ages four to 18 is now available at 10 assessment centres across the province; it will be available at all primary assessment centres by mid-November
— primary assessment centres now offering the gargle test:
Halifax, IWK Health Centre, 5850-5980 University Ave.
Halifax, Saint Mary’s University, Homburg Centre, 920 Tower Rd.
Dartmouth drive thru, behind Dartmouth General Hospital, 325 Pleasant St., off Mount Hope Avenue
Antigonish, St. Martha’s Regional Hospital, 25 Bay St.
Wolfville, Acadia University Club, 17 Westwood Ave.
Bridgewater, South Shore Assessment Centre – Gateway Plaza, 215 Dominion St.
Yarmouth, Visitor Information Centre, 228 Main St.
Pugwash, North Cumberland Memorial Hospital, 260 Gulf Shore Rd.
Amherst, 34 Prince Arthur St.
Truro, Colchester East Hants Health Centre, 600 Abenaki Rd.
Additional Resources:
For more information about COVID-19 testing and online booking, visit http://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/symptoms-and-testing/
The COVID-19 self-assessment is at http://covid-self-assessment.novascotia.ca/
For a map of the health zones, visit http://www.cdha.nshealth.ca/node/20735
More information about the gargle test is available at http://www.iwk.nshealth.ca/COVID-19/testing
