**** NSHA Media Release
Public Health Mobile Units taking proactive testing to Sheet Harbour
Public Health’s Mobile Units will be offering community-based testing this week in Sheet Harbour.
In an effort to keep COVID-19 under control in Nova Scotia, Public Health is travelling to communities where there are currently no active cases or potential exposures. This gives Public Health a way to detect new cases before the virus moves into a community. Public Health’s Mobile Units are able to provide easier access to testing for rural and remote communities or those communities experiencing barriers related to testing elsewhere.
Public Health is encouraging all Nova Scotians to get tested regularly as part of living safely with COVID-19 – not just when you have symptoms, have been at an exposure site, travelled, or potentially been around someone who has tested positive.
- Public Health’s Mobile Units will be in Sheet Harbour this week for asymptomatic testing on Friday, Feb. 19 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Sheet Harbour Legion – Branch #58 (23566 Nova Scotia Trunk 7, Sheet Harbour). This is open for both drop-in testing and pre-booked appointments.
Community members are encouraged to pre-book their testing appointments at the Mobile Unit by filling out the self-assessment form online at: http://www.nshealth.ca/coronavirustesting. If you don’t have access to the internet, call 811.
Public Health is encouraging anyone who is not experiencing symptoms to get tested. Testing is available for all ages.
You may get tested at the Mobile Unit 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 or P.E.I.
Important notes:
- You do not need to self-isolate while you wait for your results.
- The testing method is standard PCR swab or Swish and Gargle for children up to age 18. Preparation is required for gargle testing (http://www.iwk.nshealth.ca/COVID-19/testing#gargle)
- Results are typically available within 72 hours.
- Please bring your health card 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: http://covid-self-assessment.novascotia.ca/en
A reminder to Nova Scotians that there are 28 regular COVID-19 testing sites across the province. To find one closest to you visit: http://www.nshealth.ca/coronavirustesting. Residents can book an appointment at any testing site across the province.
If, in the past 48 hours, you have had or are currently experiencing the following symptoms, visit http://covid-self-assessment.novascotia.ca/en to do a self-assessment:
- 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 or P.E.I. 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
