Island Health has a number of COVID-19 testing sites across the island. Island Health staff, medical staff, contracted service providers, and essential service providers such as first responders can self-refer for testing, but there are different guidelines for long-term care staff.
- COVID-19 testing is recommended for staff and medical staff who work in long-term care facilities if they develop new respiratory or gastrointestinal symptoms, however mild. This includes fever, cough, shortness of breath, rhinorrhea, nasal congestion, loss of sense of smell, sore throat, odynophagia, headache, muscle aches, fatigue, loss of appetite, chills, vomiting, or diarrhea.
- COVID-19 testing is recommended for all health care workers (including long-term care) and essential service providers if they develop a fever (generally >38°C) and new onset of (or exacerbation of chronic) cough or shortness of breath.
Either group can self-refer for testing by calling the new central phone line at 1.844.901.8442.
This is to allow us to continue to identify the health status of health care workers and essential service providers, and ensure the staffing of health care facilities and services in the community are safe and sustainable for patients, staff and providers.