Mobile Testing Units Available for Community COVID-19 Testing

**** HEALTH/WELLNESS Media Release

Mobile Testing Units Available for Community COVID-19 Testing
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Two mobile testing units are now operational to support more COVID-19 testing in communities that need it.

“Getting these mobile units up and running is another part of our enhanced testing strategy to help us detect cases as early as possible and slow the spread of COVID-19,” said Premier Stephen McNeil. “Our testing strategy is about tracking, tracing and containing this virus, and I thank Nova Scotians for pulling together to support public health in this work.”

The mobile units are vans that can travel to a community or setting. They are staffed by public health team members trained in testing and investigation processes, such as public health nurses.

The mobile units will be deployed to specific locations based on the epidemiology needs in the province. When they are deployed, public health will work with community partners to notify people about who should get tested, when and how.

Their first job is to support testing at Northeast Kings Education Centre in Canning, Kings. Co., in Western Zone. Public health is contacting people who should be tested and setting appointments for Dec. 2. No drop-ins will be accepted. The aim of testing in this school is to better understand transmission, given that there may be close contacts of previously identified cases at this school.

“The Nova Scotia Health Authority has done a tremendous job to get these mobile units in place in a very short period of time to better support testing in communities and I thank them for this work,” said Dr. Robert Strang, chief medical officer of health. “These mobile units are another tool in our toolbox to target our testing in places and situations where it is needed to help public health investigate and manage cases and help prevent further spread.”

A mobile unit is a 20-foot van that can travel across the province. Based on recommendations from Medical Officers of Health, the mobile units will provide support directly in communities or other specific locations. They will be staffed by Public Health nurses and Public Health investigators integrated into Nova Scotia Health’s COVID-19 Response Team, trained in testing and investigation processes.

When a mobile unit is deployed to a particular setting, Public Health will work with community partners to notify community members when and how they can access the services.

The additional testing being done at Northeast Kings Education Centre in Canning, Kings. Co. is one example of how the mobile units may be used. For this specific situation, Public Health is working directly with the members of the Northeast Kings Education Centre in Canning community to arrange testing. No drop-ins will be accepted.

Quick Facts:
— Visit http://covid-self-assessment.novascotia.ca/ to do a self-assessment if you have symptoms and book a test if recommended
— testing numbers are updated daily at http://novascotia.ca/coronavirus
— a state of emergency was declared under the Emergency Management Act on March 22 and extended to Dec. 13

Additional Resources:
Government of Canada: http://canada.ca/coronavirus

Government of Canada information line 1-833-784-4397 (toll-free)

The Mental Health Provincial Crisis Line is available 24/7 to anyone experiencing a mental health or addictions crisis, or someone concerned about them, by calling 1-888-429-8167 (toll-free)

Kids Help Phone is available 24/7 by calling 1-800-668-6868 (toll-free)

For help or information about domestic violence 24/7, call 1-855-225-0220 (toll-free)

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/