Asymptomatic testing for COVID-19 expands in Nova Scotia

Starting Tuesday, all Nova Scotians will be able to book a COVID-19 test even if they don’t have symptoms.

Dr. Robert Strang, chief medical officer of health, said this is an opportunity for Nova Scotians to help keep each other safe.

“By getting tested, you can help us limit the potential spread of the virus by detecting positive cases in people who do not have symptoms,” he said in a news release Monday.

Asymptomatic testing is recommended for anyone who has many social contacts or a number of close interactions through gatherings. People in the central zone, which covers Halifax, can go to the Zatzman Sportsplex in Dartmouth without an appointment to get tested. Anyone in the other zones can book an appointment through this website.

Asymptomatic testing is available for people who:

• Do not have symptoms
• Have not travelled outside the Atlantic provinces within the past 14 days
• Have not visited a potential exposure location
• Have not been in contact with someone who has tested positive.

Pop-up testing sites will continue. These rapid tests are only for people 16 and older. People tested at these locations are not required to isolate while awaiting their results. People tested for other reasons still need to isolate until they hear back.

8 new cases

The expansion for asymptomatic testing comes as the province announced eight new cases on Monday, bringing the total number of active cases to 90.

Four of the new cases are in the central zone. One of these cases is at Ian Forsyth Elementary School in Dartmouth, which was reported Sunday. The other three are close contacts of previously reported cases.

The other four new cases include two in the western zone and two in the eastern zone.

“Over the past few days, we have seen a decline in case numbers. While this is good news, it does not mean that COVID-19 is no longer a risk,” Strang said. “If we don’t follow all the public health measures, we could easily see a spike in cases.”

Nova Scotia Health Authority’s labs have completed 77,075 tests since Oct. 1.

Symptoms

Anyone with one of the following symptoms should call 811 or visit the self-assessment website:

• Cough, or worsening of an existing cough
• Fever

Anyone with two of the following symptoms is asked to visit the self-assessment website or call 811:

• Sore throat
• Headache
• Shortness of breath
• Runny nose

To find the full list of possible exposure sites to COVID-19 check the province’s alert page.