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 various sites in IH. You can make an appointment by calling Digital Health Support Desk at 1-844-870-4756, seven days a week.
Please note, the Covid-19 Self-Assessment Tool will be reviewed prior to booking.
If you're hearing impaired, booking assistance is available.
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.
See if you qualify for treatment:
Click here for the COVID-19 Treatment Self-Assessment
or call 1-888-268-4319
PCR Test Locations
Interior Health COVID-19 PCR Test Sites
|
Interior Health PCR Test Locations |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| 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) 0845-0905 |
|
| Creston |
Please report to the ER. Call 250-428-3823 before arriving. |
Please report to the ER. 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 1000-1030 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.
Appointments are required |
Mon-Fri 1300-1400 Sat-Sun & Stats 0900-1000 |
| Kelowna |
Kelowna Public Health-CHSC Lot #286 |
Please arrive at your appointment time, we are unable to accommodate early/late arrivals. Entrance is down the back alley, off of St. Paul Street. Pull in to the parking lot. The Covid-19 testing spots are straight ahead on the right-hand side.
Mon-Fri, please stay in your car.
On weekends, you will need to buzz in.
|
(7 days) 10:20-11:10 |
| 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 Closed Stat Holidays |
|
| Merritt |
Monday to friday 0900-0910 Home Health Department no walk-ins accepted Sat/sun Please report to Merritt's Emergency Room Department |
Mon-Fri 0900-0910 (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 and STATS Park in designated stall along back side of building. Stay in vehicle. |
Mon-Sun 8:40 Appointment No drop-Ins
|
| Penticton |
Park in the designated parking spaces for Covid Testing at the Penticton Health Center Call number listed on arrival. Do not use Front Entrance, follow signs Testing Entrance. If no cell phone, follow signage to testing entrance, use sanitizing station and knock on door. |
(7 days) 1130-1230 |
|
| Princeton |
|
Please report to the Princeton Emergency Department | |
| Revelstoke | Please report to the Revelstoke Emergency Department |
(7 days) 0930-0940 open for stat holidays |
|
| Salmon Arm |
Monday to Friday Salmon Arm Public Health Centre Sat to Sun & Stats |
Mon-Fri 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. Sat-Sun Please report to the Salmon Arm Emergency Department |
Mon-Fri 0930-0940 Sat-Sun & Stats 0900-0915
|
| 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-Sun including Stats 0900-0915 |
| Vernon |
Mon-Fri Public Health Vernon Health Centre -1440 - 14th Ave Sat, Sun & Stat UPCC |
Park in COVID designated stall. Wait outside the COVID testing entrance until directed |
Mon-Fri 0930-1030 Beginning Oct 3, 2022 Mon-Fri 1:30-2:30 pm Sat, Sun & Stat 3 pm-4 pm |
| West Kelowna |
Effective June 23, 2022 testing will no longer be available in West Kelowna. Starting June 23, please book an appointment at the downtown Kelowna testing location listed above. |
Please refer to downtown Kelowna location |
Kelowna 7 days per week 0900-1100 |
| Williams Lake |
Monday-Friday Park in Parking Lot B in designated COVID testing parking spot. Stay in your vehicle until a nurse directs you. Sat, Sun & Stat Please report to the Williams Lake Emergency Department |
Mon 0840 Tues-Fri 0930
|
|
| Please send any questions to: PandemicResponse@interiorhealth.ca | |||
First Nation Health Service Organizations COVID-19 community collection centre
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 |
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