SYDNEY — Following more than 40,000 phone calls by 60 staff to deliver negative COVID-19 test results in Nova Scotia, the Nova Scotia Health Authority has implemented a new system.
Now people can receive negative test results by email.
“Offering the negative results by email is a way to increase efficiency with people getting the result and information they need,” Brendan Elliott, a spokesman with the health authority, wrote in an email response to questions.
“With it being an automated system, it speeds up the process for everyone involved.”
Elliott said according to public health and infectious disease experts, there is potential for a second and third wave of COVID-19.
“We want to be as prepared as possible. Changing and evolving throughout this pandemic response is important as we prepare for what may come next.”
As of Friday, there were 44,477 negative COVID-19 test results in Nova Scotia, 1,058 positive results and 61 deaths related to COVID-19.
Testing for the virus in Nova Scotia began around March 10 when presumed positive samples were sent to the National Microbiology Lab in Winnipeg for confirmation.
On March 22 Nova Scotia’s chief medical officer of health Dr. Robert Strang announced that testing for COVID-19 could now be completed at the Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre microbiology lab in Halifax.
Approximately 5,400 people in Cape Breton have been tested for COVID-19 since confirmation has been able to be provided by the QEII.
According to the last census in 2016, the population of Cape Breton was 132,010, about 15 per cent of the provincial population of 923,598.
As of Friday, 997 people had recovered from the virus and their cases of COVID-19 are considered resolved.
On the Nova Scotia Health Authority website, Gary O’Toole, senior director of population and public health, also reiterated wanting to deliver results more quickly while also ensuring they have the information they need.
“The need for COVID-19 tests continues to be high and we also want to be prepared for potential second and third waves of the disease,” he stated, adding they have learned a lot over the past few months.
“Changing and adapting is a part of this process and we hope that these changes will be helpful to Nova Scotians.”
When a person is tested for COVID-19 in Nova Scotia, if an email address is provided and if test results are negative, the results will be sent by email. A link directs the person to where they can sign in using their Nova Scotia health card number to review their result.
Any further information to help the person understand what they need to do next will be provided.
Meanwhile, all positive results for COVID-19 will continue to be delivered by phone. Results for anyone tested who did not provide an email, will also be delivered by phone.
“The test wasn’t the hard part because the staff are incredible,” said a New Waterford senior who was tested in April. The woman, whose results were negative, didn’t want her name published. She woman likes the idea of the emails, saying it might take some pressure off the health-care workers and the person tested.
“I was so nervous waiting for the results I couldn’t eat or sleep.”
There are assessment centres across the province, including one at Sydney Health Park that operates seven days a week from 9 a.m.-9 p.m.
Elliott said most people are following the process by checking in with 811 when they have symptoms.
The Nova Scotia Health Authority has also launched a toll-free number to support and assist Nova Scotians with questions about their results, including if someone does not receive their result within 72 hours.
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