Nova Scotia Public Health recently announced they are expanding COVID-19 asymptomatic testing across the province. These tests can help Public Health detect positive cases in people who don’t have symptoms and help prevent the spread of the virus. It is an opportunity for Nova Scotians to help keep each other safe, especially as we approach the holiday season.
There are two ways to get tested:
1. POP UP TESTING (NO APPOINTMENT REQUIRED)
NS Public Health has announced plans for a ‘rapid result’ pop-up testing site in Antigonish this weekend. Please see the attached image for details. Note that NS Public Health is also seeking volunteers to work at the testing site, with roles including screening members of the public as they arrive, registering them and getting contact information, completing the swabbing and testing (full PPE provided), and texting everyone the results of their rapid test. Volunteers can sign up for as many roles as they’d like. If you are interested in volunteering, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or sign up here: https://forms.gle/ogepKcoMet7NVX8F8.
The testing itself will take place Saturday, December 12 and Sunday, December 13 from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the Amelia Saputo Centre Auxiliary Gym. Please note that NS Public Health is the lead for this event and StFX is the host. As such, all questions should be directed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Please pay special attention to the ‘Who Can Get Tested’ section of the attached image and this message.
2. MAKE AN APPOINTMENT FOR A REGULAR ASYMPTOMATIC (NON-POP-UP) TEST
Appointments can be booked through NS Public Health at https://covid-self-assessment.novascotia.ca/, choosing the asymptomatic option. Appointments can be booked until December 13.
WHO CAN GET TESTED?
Just about anyone can get tested, and the province is especially encouraging testing for people who have a lot of close contact through social activities. Asymptomatic testing is available for people who:
- Do not have symptoms of COVID-19
- 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
- Are at least 16 years of age (for pop-up testing location only; persons younger than age 16 can make an appointment for an asymptomatic test)
People getting tested through this process are not required to self-isolate while waiting for their test or results. People getting tested for other reasons should review their self-isolation requirements. There is also more information about testing on the Nova Scotia Health Authority website.
A negative test result is a good indication that a person is not able to spread the COVID-19 virus at the time of testing but it does not mean that they could not become infectious in the next few days. People who receive a negative test result must continue to follow public health measures and if they develop symptoms, immediately self-isolate and complete the COVID-19 self-assessment.
Everyone is reminded to keep their social circles small and follow public health measures including wearing masks, physical distancing, practicing good hand hygiene, and staying home if they feel sick.
