Image Credit: CFJC Today

By Chad Klassen

COVID-19 TESTING

Demand triples for COVID-19 tests at Kamloops public health clinic

Sep 29, 2020 | 3:46 PM

KAMLOOPS — Interior Health says the demand for COVID-19 tests in Kamloops has increased significantly in the month of September, partly due to the beginning of the school year.

The onset of school and fall’s arrival have more people coming to the testing facility at Kamloops public health with symptoms of COVID-19. It has put more pressure on staff at the site.

“Normally here in Kamloops, our testing centre receives anywhere between 30 and 80 calls a day, and lately it’s been more like 200. We are quite busy, as you can imagine,” noted Interior Health Medical Health Officer Dr. Carol Fenton. “Part of that is around return to school creating some of that demand and some of it is just the change of seasons.”

Interior Health is working on increasing staffing levels at the site. Dr. Fenton says until more staff are brought in, wait times may be a little longer.

Two and Out

PETERS: Working in local government may pay well, but it sure doesn't seem like a lot of fun

3h ago

Looped In

LOOPED IN WITH NIKKI OMEN: October 10, 2024

Oct 10, 2024

One Man's Opinion

COLLINS: If it's Tuesday, this must be Kamloops

Oct 10, 2024

“Ideally, people should be able to get into an appointment within 24-to-48 hours, depending on capacity,” she noted. “They should get a phone call back, if they phone and leave a message, they should get a response between 24 and 48 hours. You can imagine that sometimes things align and we can get you in for the appointment within 24 hours and sometimes the capacity is just not there and it could be longer.”

Anyone experiencing COVID-19 symptoms is asked to call 8-1-1 and a nurse will recommend a test and provide the phone number for public health.

Dr. Fenton doesn’t believe the demand for testing will balloon as we get deeper into fall; she believes if people stay within a bubble of six people, social distance and wear a mask, the transmission could easily be slowed.