Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) is opening a new first-come first-serve testing site in Vancouver to provide increased screening and testing for COVID-19.
The testing centre is located in the north parking lot of Vancouver Community College, on East 7th Avenue between Keith and Glen Drive.
It is open daily from 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m, and will accommodate both walk-in and drive-through clients.
People visiting the new Vancouver COVID-19 testing site will not need a referral or appointment, and will be seen on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Assessment for testing, if indicated, will be conducted for those with symptoms of COVID-19 which can include:
- Fever
- Chills
- Cough or worsening of chronic cough
- Shortness of breath
- Sore throat
- Runny nose
- Loss of sense of smell or taste
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Diarrhea
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea and vomiting
- Muscle aches
While less common, symptoms can also include:
- Stuffy nose
- Conjunctivitis (pink eye)
- Dizziness, confusion
- Abdominal pain
- Skin rashes or discoloration of fingers or toes.
While the criteria for testing has changed during the pandemic, not everyone needs a test, and COVID-19 testing is not recommended for people without symptoms.
People can also access the BC COVID-19 Self-Assessment Tool to help determine if they need further assessment for COVID-19 testing by a healthcare provider or at a local collection centre.
An additional assessment centre in North Vancouver is expected to open in the next couple of weeks.
For more information on COVID-19 and testing, please visit www.vch.ca/COVID-19.
