**** NSHA Media Release
Public Health Mobile Units remaining in Truro to provide additional drop-in COVID-19 testing – online appointment booking option now available
With the extension of Public Health’s Mobile Units’ stay in the community this week, Truro area residents are now able to book appointments to avoid a long wait in line. Appointments can be booked for Monday and Tuesday, January 18-19 by filling out the self-assessment online at http://covid-self-assessment.novascotia.ca/en, or if you don’t have access to the internet, by calling 811. Drop-in testing is still available, however, people are being encouraged to book an appointment.
In response to the high number of people seeking COVID-19 testing in the Truro area this week, Public Health announced yesterday that the Mobile Health Units’ would remain in the community to offer testing for another four days.
The additional demand in testing follows the recent number of potential COVID-19 public exposure notices in the Northern Zone. As the regular Primary Assessment Centres in the community are also seeing higher than usual volumes of testing, the Public Health Mobile Units are in the community to add testing capacity so that more Nova Scotians can get a COVID-19 test.
Public Health is encouraging anyone who was at any of the potential exposure sites announced in recent days to get tested (visit http://www.nshealth.ca/covid-exposures), however, testing is open to everyone. If you were at one of the potential exposure sites, please carefully read the self-isolation directions as they may differ from one site to another.
Drop-in testing will be available at Public Health’s Mobile Health Units on the following dates and times:
- Saturday, January 16 @ NSCC Truro Campus, Cafeteria Lobby, 36 Arthur Street from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, January 17-19 @ Best Western Glengary, Convention Centre, 150 Willow Street from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Please look for the signs and register at the Mobile Health Unit vans.
You may get tested at the Mobile Health Units if you have no symptoms; are not a close contact of a person with COVID-19; and are not isolating because of travel outside of Nova Scotia, PEI or Newfoundland and Labrador.
Important notes:
- If you were at one of the potential exposure sites, please carefully read the self-isolation directions as they may differ from one site to another.
- The testing method is standard PCR swab or Gargle for children up to age 18 (see how to prepare your child for testing here).
- Please bring your health card with you, if you have one.
- You may have to wait in line outside, please dress accordingly.
- Please do not come to the drop-in site if you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19. Instead, please book an appointment online by visiting: covid-self-assessment.novascotia.ca
A reminder to residents of Truro, standard COVID-19 testing is available for anyone on a regular basis by appointment at the following locations in the Northern Zone:
- Truro COVID-19 Testing – 625 Abenaki Road (lower parking lot), Truro
- Truro Farmers Market – 15 Young Street, Truro
- Pictou County Assessment Centre – 678 East River Road, New Glasgow
- Amherst COVID-19 Testing – 34 Prince Arthur Street, Amherst
Residents of Nova Scotia can book an appointment at any testing site across the province.
PLEASE NOTE: If you already have an appointment for a COVID-19 test at one of the regular COVID-19 testing sites, please do not cancel that appointment to visit the mobile unit as there are limits to the number of people we can accommodate at the mobile unit.
If, in the past 48 hours, you have had or are currently experiencing the following symptoms,
- fever or cough (new or worsening)
OR
- two or more of the following symptoms (new or worsening):
- sore throat
- runny nose
- headache
- shortness of breath
Currently, anyone travelling to Nova Scotia from outside of Nova Scotia, PEI or Newfoundland and Labrador is expected to self-isolate for 14 days after arriving.
All Nova Scotians are advised to continue monitoring for COVID-19 symptoms and are urged to follow Public Health guidelines on how to access care. Up to date information about COVID-19 is available at novascotia.ca/coronavirus
