Appointments needed to access Nova Scotia COVID-19 assessment sites

The Nova Scotia Health Authority has released the locations of eightCOVID-19 assessment sites, but patients can't visit them without first making an appointment through the province's811 telemedicine service.

The sites are being established to move possible coronavirus cases out of emergency departments, and to help prevent its spread if any patients are diagnosed.

The new testing locations are:

• Cape Breton Regional Hospital, Sydney.
• Valley Regional Hospital, Kentville.
• South Shore Regional Hospital, Bridgewater.
• Yarmouth Regional Hospital, Yarmouth.
• Colchester East Hants Health Centre, Truro.
• East Side Collaborative Practice, New Glasgow.
• Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre, Amherst.
• Cobequid Community Health Centre, Lower Sackville.

The health authority said it may set up additional locations if needed. To date, there have been zero confirmed cases in Nova Scotia. The health authority says between 20 to 30 people have been tested so far.

Even by calling the hotline, patients will have to meet certain criteria before they're referred to one of the test sites.

The province is scrapping an earlier protocol that listed specific high-risk countries. Instead, those who have travelled internationally, develop a fever of 38 C or higher, or have a cough are being told to call 811. From that point, they may get anappointment where they will have a physical assessment and potentially have a swab test.

Those who are asymptomatic will not be sent to an assessment siteat this time, said Dr. Todd Hatchette,the health authority's head of microbiology.

"We know that Nova Scotians will be anxiousand we know that there is going to be stress out there," he said. "Hopefully, they'll have a little bit of patience with this rapidly evolving situation."

The new clinics will have the capacity to test 200 people a day. Hatchette saidmore than 100 people worked through the weekend to set them up and areanxious to get them open before what typically is one of the busiest travel weeks of the year.

"We expect that the assessment sites will get busier after March break."

The health authority wants to make sure people know they're assessment sites, not testing sites, as not everyone will be swabbed.

Hatchetteis asking for calm, and saidthere's no need to panic. He saidthe vast majority of people will have typical bugs.

He saidthe health authority also needs to ensure they have enough supplies, as the swabs they use are made in Italy, which is now in lockdown to stop the spread of COVID-19.

"Swabs are one of the things we are watching very closely because there are a shortage of swabs across the country," he said. "We're looking at different options to make sure we have enough swabs to actually test people."

The health authority saidanyone needing more urgent care will be sent to the hospital. Hatchette saidthose patients will have symptoms such as shortness of breath, low blood pressure or a high heart rate.

In a statement, he said the resources of the health-care system are already strained by the seasonal flu and other demands. He said the COVID-19 assessment centres will help loosen pressure on the system.

Bethany McCormick, the health authority's senior director of strategy, saidthey'll constantly assess the demand on the new assessment sites and see if there is need for more.

"We're trying to find a balance of access and sustainability," she said.

She adds infection prevention and control practitioners will be at all the sites, and they'll be able to explain to patients why they may or may not receive a swab test, and how to move forward.

People who have travelled internationally are being told to wait 14 days after their return before visiting long-term care facilities. The same rule does not apply to visiting hospital patients, although the health authority is asking those who feel unwell to stay away.

Hachette emphasized that point on Tuesday:"If you're sick, don't go visit."

A spokesperson with the Department of Health said the restriction does not apply to health-care workers who have travelled outside of Canada. The workers are asked to monitor their health and understand the risks if they become ill.

Nurses who have travelled and become ill will be placed on sick leave, a spokesperson with the Nova Scotia Nurses' Union said.

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