Island Health is working in partnership with the Ministry of Health and the BC Centre for Disease Control to respond to COVID-19. While there are confirmed cases in the province, the risk to British Columbians and Vancouver Islanders remains low.
To support testing of people who meet specific criteria, Island Health has opened a referral-only COVID-19 screening clinic in Victoria. Testing at this clinic will occur by appointment for people who have been referred by their primary care provider or an 8-1-1 nurse.
If you feel you are experiencing symptoms (such as new fever, dry cough, difficulty breathing) please contact your primary care provider or call HealthLink BC at 8-1-1 to be assessed. People living in the Victoria region who are assessed as requiring follow-up will be directed to call the clinic. A triage nurse at the clinic will then assess referred patients over the phone to determine if an appointment for testing is needed.
It is important that people do not call or attend the screening clinic unless referred by a primary care provider or an 8-1-1 nurse.
Island Health is actively working to open COVID-19 referral-only screening clinics in other regions of Vancouver Island, including Nanaimo, Campbell River and the Comox Valley.
Again, anyone who is concerned they may have been exposed to, or is experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, should call their primary care provider or 8-1-1 for assessment. Your primary care provider or an 8-1-1 nurse will give you information regarding where you can go for assessment and testing, if required.
Island Health would also like to remind the public to avoid unnecessary visits to emergency departments. If you are concerned you may have been exposed to, or are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, it is important you call your primary care provider or 8-1-1 first for assessment and direction. If you are experiencing an emergency and require immediate medical attention, call 9-1-1 or go to the nearest emergency department.
The British Columbia Centre for Disease Control is the recommended resource for provincial information that is accurate and current: http://bccdc.ca. Information is being updated frequently on the site at this time and individuals are encouraged to check back regularly (eg. daily).
Island Health also has frequently updated information on our website: www.islandhealth.ca/covid19