BC to begin testing anyone with symptoms of COVID-19

| April 21, 2020 in COVID-19

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Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry has announced that BC will expand its COVID-19 testing strategy.

As of Tuesday, anyone displaying symptoms of the virus can now be tested upon receiving a family doctor, nurse practitioner or a community health unit.

Previously, testing was reserved for healthcare workers and those involved in suspected community outbreaks.

BC's new testing strategy is based on the province's changing pandemic situation, highlighted by the latest data modelling that shows the curve has begun to flatten.

However, officials maintain that while everyone can now be tested, not everyone should be.

Henry has said that the test has "limited applicability" for people who do not have symptoms of COVID-19.

On Monday, Henry announced there had been 52 new cases over the previous 48 hours, for a total of 1,699 to date, and five new deaths.

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