Awaiting IH COVID testing
Petruk team – December 21, 2021 / 4:00 a.m | History: 355127
Photo: castanet staff
The COVID-19 testing facility in Kamloops.
Interior Health says it will add COVID-19 testing capacity as needed after the health agency’s online booking platform went down Monday morning.
The Omicron variant of the coronavirus has resulted in significant case numbers in a number of countries overseas, as well as in Quebec and Ontario.
In BC, where Omicron has been discovered but is not yet known to be dominant, the variant is driving increased demand for COVID-19 testing, where hour-long lines outside testing facilities were found in the Lower Mainland on Monday.
In Interior Health, those who want a test must book one with the Health Department.
This week, wait times for tests in the largest inland cities are more than 24 hours. As of Monday afternoon, the next available test date in Kamloops was Wednesday morning; in Kelowna there were still appointments available for Tuesday evening, but only after 6 p.m
As of Monday morning, Interior Health’s COVID-19 test appointment form was not loading for many who wanted to book tests.
“The COVID-19 test booking site is currently operational,” IH Castanet said in a statement Monday in response to a series of questions.
“We used to have slow load times [Monday] Tomorrow, but it’s settled.”
In the statement, the health agency said there was an increase in demand for testing in the region.
“We are currently seeing an increase in testing demand in some communities,” the statement said.
“Appointments are available up to 72 hours in advance and more appointments are added every night. We will be closely monitoring appointment availability and will work to add additional appointment capacity in areas where we are seeing increased demand for testing.”
