SYDNEY, N.S. — A person can not only get a COVID-19 test anytime, but they can also help do the testing.
Richard MacDonald of Praxes, project manager for the rapid pop-up community testing sites in Nova Scotia, said when coming to an area to set up a pop-up site, the word is put out to a local spokesperson—such as the mayor or a community advocate— for assistance on site selection and rounding up volunteers.
Praxes is contracted by Nova Scotia Health for the rapid community testing sites province-wide.
MacDonald said they are always looking to drum up local volunteers who are then trained to take part at the testing sites.
“We do like to have familiar faces taking on the various roles,” he said.
Volunteers are trained for all the roles including the registrar, screening, swabbing, processing the test samples and sending out the results to those who were tested.
“All these roles can be run by volunteers and we can fill in with our staff as necessary,” he said.
As well, site selection is important. The proper amount of space to allow for a good flow and adequate room for the numbers expected is important.
There were many student volunteers taking part at the community testing site set up at the Canada Games Complex at Cape Breton University in Sydney Thursday, including Sarah Munroe of Sydney, a nursing student at the university.
Munroe was found being trained how to take the nose swabs for testing, something she was looking forward to taking part in.
“Public health and policy are passions of mine and that’s where I’d like to go when I get into nursing practice,” she said. “This just a part of helping people stay safe and healthy during COVID.”
Anyone interested in volunteering at a future community testing site in the province can email Praxes for more information at [email protected].
Sharon-Montgomery-Dupe is a breaking news and health reporter at the Cape Breton Post.
