Information bulletin
New Powell River Complex Clinic offers COVID-19 assessment and test collection
B.C.'s Provincial Health Officer rescinds orders for COVID-19
This news release contains information that is more than six months old and may be out of date. On July 26, 2024, B.C.’s Provincial Health Officer issued an order to end the public health emergency for COVID-19 and rescinded all related orders.
Powell River, B.C. – COVID-19 assessment and test collection is now available at the Powell River Complex Clinic, a new site opened by Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) and the Powell River Division of Family Practice (PRDoFP). Located on the upper level of the Powell River Recreation Complex, the clinic will provide additional capacity to assess local residents for COVID-19.
“Thanks to the dedication and efforts of our VCH staff and managers, PRDoFP and community partners, we are taking this important step to expand our ability to assess and screen patients for COVID-19 in Powell River as flu season approaches,” said Mélie De Champlain, VCH Director, Powell River Community of Care.
The complex clinic is now providing COVID-19 assessment and test collection, seven days a week from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Anyone with COVID-19 symptoms can request an appointment by calling 604-485-2028. More information and online booking is available at prcomplexclinic.com. Two specially designed exam rooms on the upper level of the recreation complex will be used to safely see patients for in-person assessment. In order to ensure the safety of recreation centre patrons, these exam rooms are accessed through separate entrances. These assessments will be by referral from doctors or nurse practitioners only. Initially, in-person assessments will be conducted five days a week from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m., though the hours may change depending on demand. The operation of the clinic will not impact programming offered in the lower level of the Complex Clinic.
“We aim for these services to provide rapid access to COVID-related health care and protect front line health care workers,” said Dr. David May, PRDoFP board chair. “I would like to thank everyone who has worked so hard to get this up and running.”
Test collection for COVID-19 will also continue to be available at the Emergency Department at Powell River General Hospital, as needed.
COVID-19 assessment and test collection is available for all who need it but not everyone requires a test. Testing is not recommended for people without symptoms. You can use the BC COVID-19 Self-Assessment Tool to help determine if you need further assessment for COVID-19 by a health care provider or at a local collection centre. You can complete this assessment for yourself, or on behalf of someone else, if they are unable to do this themselves.
Identifying new cases of COVID-19 in a timely manner is important to help prevent community spread of the virus, and this new clinic will contribute to those efforts.
VCH continues to monitor cases throughout our region. For more information on COVID-19 and testing, please visit www.vch.ca/COVID-19.
VCH is responsible for the delivery of $3.6 billion in community, hospital and long-term care services to more than one million people in communities including Richmond, Vancouver, the North Shore, Sunshine Coast, Sea to Sky corridor, Powell River, Bella Bella and Bella Coola. VCH also provides specialized care and services for people throughout BC and is the province’s hub of health care education and research.
CONTACT:
Katelyn Verstraten
604-358-8898
