Health officials share results of pop-up clinics in Cape Breton

SYDNEY N.S. — Health officials say there were no positive test results from the rapid COVID-19 testing popup clinics held last week in Sydney.

A total of 521 people got the tests at the clinics held Wednesday and Thursday.

The Department of Health and Wellness has been setting up pop-up clinics across the province so people who are asymptomatic can receive COVID-19 tests.

In a story in the Cape Breton Post on Monday, some Cape Breton residents spoke out hoping the popup sites would come to the island, especially because of the community spread on the mainland.

According to the province, asymptomatic means an individual does not feel sick or have symptoms, and they may or may not have the virus.

The purpose of rapid testing is to detect positive cases in people who do not have symptoms before the virus spreads widely.

Almost anyone age 16 or over can get a test, but the province especially encourages anyone who has a lot of close interactions through social activities to get tested.

As of Friday, there had been 9,941 tests conducted at 26 sites across the province.

People looking to get a COVID-19 test without symptoms in Nova Scotia can still do that until January.

The deadline for booking an asymptomatic test was Friday, but the province is extending testing as one tool that will help limit the spread of COVID-19.

People can book an appointment up to three days in advance through the COVID-19 self-assessment site, https://covid-self-assessment.novascotia.ca/en.

Officials with the department say Nova Scotians can stay COVID-19 safe by following public health measures. Testing for the virus gives an additional layer of protection. By getting tested, you’re helping health officials detect the virus early enough to isolate household contacts before they can unknowingly spread the virus to others.

The department of Health and Wellness encourages people to go to https://www. nshealth.ca/coronavirustesting to get a test.