Dryden Regional Health Centre/CKDR Files
The Dryden Regional Health Centre is clarifying COVID-19 PCR testing going forward, in light of the province’s announcement Thursday.
Starting today, only those who meet the eligibility outlined by the province will be able to book a PCR test through the COVID-19 Assessment Centre.
Officials say those who already have an appointment booked at the DRHC Assessment Centre for next week will be able to keep their appointment.
New criteria outlined by the province will be used for all future bookings which includes only those who fall under specific high-risk groups.
Fully vaccinated symptomatic individuals or children under 12 who do not meet the criteria are no longer eligible for PCR testing and must isolate, along with everyone in their household for 5 days following the onset of symptoms.
Isolation time is still 10 days for unvaccinated, partially vaccinated or immunocompromised individuals.
If you have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, and you are fully vaccinated, you are not required to isolate, but you should monitor for symptoms and follow all public health measures (masking, physical distancing) and avoid visiting high-risk settings or any high-risk individuals.
Those who are not fully vaccinated must self-isolate for 10 days if they have been exposed to confirmed COVID-positive individual.
The DRHC is also asking residents to be patient as Assessment Centre staff adapt to these recent changes.
