Rules for COVID-19 testing in Nova Scotia are changing. The Nova Scotia Health Authority has developed a new screening system for booking an appointment for a PCR test or to pick up a take home rapid test at COVID testing centres in the province. The NSHA’s COVID-19 Director for Eastern Zone, Andrew Heighton, says priority for […]
GLACE BAY, N.S. It didn t take long to get tested for COVID-19 in Glace Bay, N.S., on Wednesday. A stark contrast to the long line-ups and wait times across the province a month ago. Provincially, we would like to see around 5,000 or 6,000 tests a day, Andrew Heighton, the COVID response director in Nova Scotia s Eastern health zone. That s a number the province aims for in polymerase chain reaction (PCR) swabs in the lab. Heighton says testing burnout, fewer COVID-19 cases being reported, and the weather are all factors people are staying away. Testing gives us the opportunity to identify any pockets that are existing in our communities, so we can put our resources where they re needed, Heighton said.
Thursday was the first time the Eastern Zone has outpaced the rest of the province with the highest number of COVID-19 cases; 18 were announced Thursday.