Long lineups at Vancouver COVID-19 testing sites frustrate locals

Rising COVID-19 cases in B.C. have people clamouring for tests, but finding traffic around the block at some Vancouver testing centres. As Liza Yuzda reports, many are wondering why the province's big boxes of rapid tests can't be divided up and distributed in smaller quantities.

Posted December 16, 2021 8:48 pm.

Last Updated December 17, 2021 10:04 am.

The number of COVID-19 cases in B.C. is climbing again, and along with it comes more people eager for testing.

But if they went to a testing site in Vancouver recently, they might have faced a long lineup. One location had a line snaking around the block on Thursday, with people waiting for over an hour to get their test.

Waiting may be the best option for now, since B.C. lacks the at-home testing provided by the government in provinces like Ontario and Alberta.

40+ vehicles lined up at #COVID19 testing site near Heather & 33rd. Yesterday set a record, according to one source. pic.twitter.com/u2Wjbn2mWA

— Tim James (@TimJamesCity) December 15, 2021

Rapid tests come in boxes of 25 in B.C., including tubes, caps, nasal swabs, and buffer.

“The rapid test is most useful if it’s positive, so it allows us to exclude individuals who would have been at risk of transmitting COVID to others, especially indoors,” says Dr. Brian Conway, an infectious disease specialist.

“If you test negative, you still have to follow all of the regulations and precautions that are in place, so the main use of these tests would be to find people who are infected and do not know it yet heading into the social holiday season.”

A spokesperson for Vancouver Coastal Health says the authority is aware of the long wait times at some COVID-19 testing sites in the region, and is exploring ways to make the testing process as efficient as possible.

Until those solutions are found, people without symptoms are strongly advised to stay away from testing services to allow frontline providers to prioritize care for those who are most likely to be infected.

View the estimated wait times for Vancouver Coastal Health

Vancouver Coastal Health encourages everyone to complete the self-assessment questionnaire to determine if you should get tested.

We are hosting another COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Testing device distribution and usage training on Thursday (Dec 16th) for residents of Chilliwack, Hope, Agassiz, Abbotsford, and Mission.

Location: Community Room at HighStreet Mall. https://t.co/vyuoDYz8Jd #empowered #engaged pic.twitter.com/f75Sar0Taq

— Engaged Communities (ECCS) (@EngagedCommuni2) December 15, 2021

For anyone nervous about the case spike, Conway recommends relying on the basics: Keeping your groups small and meeting in open spaces.

“Just play to your comfort level and make sure that as much as possible it’s vaccinated people visiting other vaccinated people who obviously have no symptoms of COVID,” he says. “Maximize vaccine programs, mitigating risk. Invest in a good sweater so you can open the doors to enhance ventilation and think about wearing a mask if you’re not drinking or eating.”

Conway says it’s about time British Columbians get their booster shots, too. He’s hoping they will arrive with more testing options in the province to reduce the risk of transmission over the holidays. The damage from the arrival of the Omicron variant could be mitigated by enhancing our vaccination program and following public health and safety guidelines, he says.

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