Province Simplifies COVID Testing and Access

Nova Scotia is now offering a less intrusive test for COVID-19 designed especially for kids.

The ‘gargle test’ is now available in ten centres across the province, including the North Cumberland Memorial Hospital in Pugwash and at 34 Prince Arthur Street in Amherst.

The gargle test, for ages four to 18 will be available at all primary assessment centres by mid-November.

The province is also rolling out online bookings for COVID testing. Primary testing centres in the Central Zone and the IWK will open the booking program today.

"We are continuing to streamline the testing process to allow Nova Scotians to book their COVID-19 test more quickly," said Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia's chief medical officer of health. "This will allow us to detect the virus sooner and manage any new cases in our province.”

Online bookings are expected in the remaining health zones by the second week of November.

People who complete the online self-assessment and require a test will automatically be directed to the online booking site to make an appointment. If more than one person in a household is exhibiting symptoms, each person will need to complete the online self-assessment to schedule their own appointment.

If you are unable to access the online self-assessment or wish to speak with a nurse about your symptoms call 811.

For more information about COVID-19 testing and online booking, visit https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/symptoms-and-testing/.

The COVID-19 self-assessment is at 

https://covid-self-assessment.novascotia.ca/.

For a map of the health zones, visit http://www.cdha.nshealth.ca/node/20735.

More information about the gargle test is available at http://www.iwk.nshealth.ca/COVID-19/testing.

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