Providence Health Care launched Vancouver’s first drive-through testing site for health-care workers this morning on property between the Archdiocese of Vancouver’s head offices and the Honoria Conway seniors residence.
The site was opened at 9 a.m. for health-care staff and community health providers who meet COVID-19 testing criteria.
The gravel parking lot is entered off West 33rd Avenue in the city. It is jointly run by Providence Health Care and Vancouver Coastal Health.
Staff and physicians of Providence Health Care and Vancouver Coastal Health, along with community health providers, can now drive in to the gravel parking lot off West 33rd Avenue and be assessed without leaving their vehicles by mask-wearing nurses.
“The purpose of this site is to increase capacity for quick assessment specifically for health-care workers,” said Vancouver Coastal Health’s Dr. Nardia Strydom and Yasmin Jetha in a joint letter. “The site will remain open for as long as needed.”
Vancouver Police are monitoring the location, which will be open seven days a week between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. The Archdiocese of Vancouver and Providence Health Centre jointly own the site. Information about testing for people who are not health-care workers can be found from the BC Centre for Disease Control.
Other assessment sites for COVID-19 exist at Vancouver General Hospital and Lions Gate, but they are not drive-through.