MOUNT PEARL, N.L. — With the backlog of COVID-19 tests addressed, Eastern Health is shutting down the drive-thru testing at Mount Pearl Senior High and shifting all testing to the Reid Community Centre on Smallwood Drive.
The health authority says the high school parking lot clinic was opened temporarily to meet the demand resulting from the surge of cases in the metro area and that it can be "ramped up quickly, if needed" in the event of another surge in cases.
The backlog was dealt with thanks to new capacity created at the Reid Centre clinic, combined with capacity at the other testing sites at the Janeway Children’s Health and Rehabilitation Centre and the Waterford Hospital.
Testing clinics continue to be by appointment only.
Individuals will remain in their vehicles while testing is complete. For individuals who do not have access to a vehicle, walk-up appointments are available and these would be facilitated on a case-by-case basis to best meet individual needs. When individuals receive a call back to schedule an appointment, they can advise that they require a walk-up appointment at that time. In addition, home visits will be completed when deemed necessary through the screening process.
The public should continue to complete the online self-assessment if they are experiencing any respiratory symptoms. The online self-assessment can be found at 811healthline.ca and should be completed before calling the 811 NL Health Line. Based on advice from 811, individuals may then be scheduled for an appointment at the respiratory assessment clinic, or at a COVID-19 testing site.
To ensure the privacy of any individuals who attend the drive-through clinics, individuals are asked not to take photos, videotape of films at the clinics.
