Vancouver’s first drive-thru COVID-19 test site opens for health-care workers

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 between the Archdiocese of Vancouver head offices and Honoria Conway on West 33rd Avenue. It is jointly run by Providence Health Care and Vancouver Coastal Health.

Staff and physicians of PHC and VCH, 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 PHC jointly own the site, and Providence Health Care’s Christopher De Bono  said Archbishop J. Michael Miller was graciously supportive of the project.

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.

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