Breadcrumb
COVID-19 Testing Information
There are different options to get tested for COVID-19, including booking an appointment and using a take-home test. Whether you need to get tested or not depends on your situation.

Types of COVID-19 tests
Take-home rapid antigen test
Certain community pharmacies in B.C. are now distributing free test kits. People are advised to keep the test kits at 2C to 30C.
Click the link to find a Pharmacy Near You
PCR test
The PCR test is an accurate and reliable test for diagnosing COVID-19. This test takes place at community collection centres. You can make an appointment by calling 1-877-740-7747 between 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m., PST, seven days a week.
Please note, the Covid Booking Support Line will go through the Covid-19 Self-Assessment Tool prior to booking.
If you are hearing impaired please click here for booking assistance.
Preparing for a PCR test
- Read this handout outlining the PCR process
- Make sure you self-isolate before your test.
- Please wear a mask and plan to arrive no more than 5 minutes before your scheduled appointment time.
- For patients over the age of four, a saline (salt water) gargle may be offered instead of a nose swab. To ensure accuracy of your test, do not eat, drink, vape, smoke, brush your teeth or chew gum for at least one hour before the test. Read the mouth rinse/gargle instructions for more information on what to expect.
- You can also watch the gargle video. It is recommended that you practice in advance with your child with plain water if possible. Do not practice within two hours of the appointment time.
Accessing PCR test results
Results are available within 48 hours and are accessible through the following options: please read this handout for more information
If you test positive for COVID-19
A positive test result for a PCR test or a rapid antigen test means that you have detectable levels of the COVID-19 virus in your body. You will need to self-isolate.
Please visit BCCDC's Testing Positive page for information on self-isolating, managing your symptoms, and notifying all of your close contacts.
Please also visit BCCDC's Treatment page or call 1-888-268-4319 to see if you qualify for Covid-19 treatment.
COVID-19 community collection centres
Please Report to your nearest Community Collection Centre |
|||
---|---|---|---|
Location | Facility | Appointment Wayfinding Instructions | Hours of Operation |
100 Mile House |
Please report to the ER entrance. Report to the Greeter and say you need a PCR swab. |
(7 days) 1500-1600
|
|
Ashcroft | Park in the ambulance bay (wait in parking lot until it is empty). Stay in your vehicle and call 250-457-0374. Do not enter building. A nurse will come to your vehicle. Accepts only children age 5 and over |
Mon - Fri 0900-0930
|
|
Barriere | Please report to the Barriere Emergency Department |
|
|
Clearwater | Please report to the Clearwater Emergency Department |
M-F 1400-1500 |
|
Cranbrook | Enter off of 24th Ave. Drive past helicopter pad to the back of the health unit building. Park in a designated spot and call posted number on arrival. |
(7 days) 0900-1200 |
|
Creston |
Weekday: Please report to the Home Health/Public Health Building. Weekend: Please report to the ER. Call 250-428-3823 before arriving. |
Mon, Friday 0830-0900 Tues, Thurs 0900-0930 Weds 1530-1600 Sat-Sun Call 250-428-3823 before arriving.
|
|
Elkford/Fernie/Sparwood | Please report to the Sparwood Emergency Department |
M-F 1030-1100 |
|
Enderby | Please visit the health centre during operational hours |
Mon-Fri 0900-1000 |
|
Golden | Please report to the Golden Emergency Department |
M-F 0900-0955 Weekends, please contact ER |
|
Grand Forks | Please report to the Grand Forks Emergency Department |
|
|
Invermere |
Invermere & District Hospital, 850 10th Ave (10th St. entrance) |
Please report to the Invermere Emergency Department |
Daily 1100-1200 |
Kamloops |
(519A – Trailer beside the Health Unit) |
Follow signage to rear of building. Line up at entrance at your appointment time. Do not enter main public health building. |
Mon-Fri 1300-1600 Sat-Sun 0900-1200 |
Kelowna | Entrance on Glenwood Ave. Please follow signage. |
(7 days) 0930-1645 closed lunch 1230-1300 |
|
Lillooet | Park in the parking stall beside the handicap parking at the Community Health entrance. Please remain in your vehicle until greeted by the nurse. |
M, W, F 0900-1000 Closed Stat Holidays |
|
Lytton | Please visit Home Health |
M, W, F 1100-1130 |
|
Merritt |
Monday to friday 0900-0910 Home Health Department no walk-ins accepted Sat/sun Please report to Merritt's Emergency Room Department |
M, W, F 0900-0930 (Including Stat Holidays) |
|
Nakusp |
|
Please report to the Nakusp Emergency Department | |
Nelson |
Mon-Fri
Sat-Sun |
Monday-Friday Park in designated stall. Stay in vehicle. Sat-Sun Park in designated stall along back side of building. Stay in vehicle. |
Mon-Sun 8:40 Appointment No drop-Ins
|
Penticton | Enter from Yorkton Ave. Park in designated spot and call number listed on arrival. If no cell phone, use sanitizing station at entrance and ring doorbell. |
(7 days) 0915-1230 |
|
Princeton |
|
Please report to the Princeton Emergency Department | |
Revelstoke | Park in the staff parking lot and remain in your vehicle. A nurse will phone you. |
(7 days) 0900-1100 open for stat holidays |
|
Salmon Arm | Park at the far end of the parking lot in the designated stalls (look for the orange cones). Stay in your car. The nurse will call or meet you at your car. |
(7 days)
|
|
Trail |
Kiro Wellness Centre 1500 Columbia Ave |
Follow Signage and park in designated driveway to the right of main entrance. For PCR test appointments remain in vehicle and nurse will come out at appointment time. For Rapid tests or walk in PCR ring doorbell and return to vehicle, only during collection hours. |
Mon-Fri 0850-1030 |
Vernon | Vernon Health Centre -1440 - 14th Ave | Park in COVID designated stall. Wait outside the COVID testing entrance until directed |
(7 days) 0900-1300 |
West Kelowna |
|
Please visit the West Kelowna Urgent and Primary Care Centre (UPCC) |
Mon-Fri 1130am-130pm |
Williams Lake | Park Parking Lot B in designated covidtesting parking spot. Stay in your vehicle until a nurse directs you |
Mon 0840-0900 Tues-Fri 0930-1000
|
|
Please send any questions to: PandemicResponse@interiorhealth.ca |
We collaborate with First Nation Health Service Organizations to implement COVID-19 testing within their community.
Testing at First Nation Health Service Organizations is by appointment. Please call to determine testing times and to determine eligibility to access testing.
Location | Facility | Address | Phone Number |
---|---|---|---|
Coldwater | Scw'exmx Health Services | 103-2090 Coutlee Ave Merritt | 250-378-9745 |
Lower Similkameen Indian Band | Lower Similkameen Indian Band Building | 1420 Hwy 3, Cawston | 250-499-2265 Extension 129 or 144 |
Lytton First Nation | Lytton First Nation | 250-256-8182 | |
Nooaitch | Scw'exmx Health Services | 103-2090 Coutlee Ave Merritt | 250-378-9745 |
Okanagan Indian Band Community Services and Development | 76 Head of Lake Road, Vernon | 250-542-5094 or 236-600-0242 | |
Penticton Indian Band | Snxastwilxtn Centre “A Place to Heal” | 198 Outma Sqilx’w Place | 250-493-7799 |
Shackan | Scw'exmx Health Services | 103-2090 Coutlee Ave Merritt | 250-378-9745 |
Simpcw (Barriere) | Simpcw Health Department | 7555 Dunn Lake Rd, Barriere | 250-672-9925 or 778-220-8783 |
Splatsin | Splatsin Health Centre | 5775 Old Vernon Road | 250-838-9538 |
Stswecem’c (Dog Creek) | Dog Creek health Centre | 5822 Lily Ln. | 250-398-9814 |
Three Corners Health Society- Williams Lake | Three Corners Health Society | 150 N. 1st Ave | 250-398-9814 |
Tlesqox/Toosey | Toosey Clinic | 36 Raven Rd Toosey, Riske Cr |
250-659-5655 |
Ulkatcho/Anahim Lake | Anahim Lake Nursing Station | 6674 Clinic Lane | 250-742-3305 |
Westbank First Nation | Health and wellness building upstairs entrance | 1900 Quail Lane | Drive through testing only 250-768-0227 |
Williams Lake - Texelc | Sugar Cane Health Centre | 2780 Indian Dr. | 250-398-9814 |
Xatsull (Soda Creek) | Soda Creek Health Centre | 3405 Mountain House Rd. | 250-398-9814 |
Xgat’tem (Canoe Creek) | Canoe Creek Health Centre | 23 Meadow Lake Rd. | 250-398-9814 |
Yunesit'in/Stone | Yunesit’in Health Clinic and Government Office- | 6678 Taseko Rd Hanceville | 250-394-4041 |
