Vehicles lined up for 1.6 kilometres as COVID-19 testing sites reopen in Metro Vancouver
COVID-19 testing sites that closed in Metro Vancouver because of extreme cold weather reopened Monday, and were quickly overwhelmed once again with test-seekers, resulting in more hours-long waits.
Last week, Vancouver Coastal Health closed its St. Vincent and Vancouver International Airport testing centres as the region experienced record-breaking low temperatures.Before the closures, many going to the sites had to stay in line for several hours to get a test, and with the reopening, it appears waits are just as long.
A line of cars more than a kilometre long was seen down Cambie Street, looping onto King Edward Avenue Monday.
Davinder Brar arrived at the St. Vincent testing centre in Vancouver around 11:30 a.m. and by 4 p.m., he was at least 30 minutes from getting to the front of the line.
"It's really frustrating to stay in line for half a day," he said.
Brar said he picked the St. Vincent testing site specifically because of a VCH-sponsored emergency department wait times website that told him it would be less than 40 minutes.
"Richmond was showing two hours, North Vancouver showing 50 minutes and this one was showing 37 minutes. I thought it would take a maximum of one hour, one-and-a-half hours," he said.
CTV News Vancouver has reached out to VCH for information on the discrepancy between the posted wait times and the actual wait times.
Meanwhile, the wait at the Richmond collection centre Monday afternoon was listed as nearly five hours long.
Even after staying in line, some may be given a rapid test to take home. Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry explained last week that the "more-accurate" PCR tests are being prioritized for those who are considered "highest risk."
In an effort to manage capacity, both Henry and VCH asked some to forego testing altogether.
"To preserve testing capacity for those at higher risk from COVID-19 at this time, people do not need to get a test if they are fully vaccinated, have mild symptoms, and are able to self-isolate until symptoms improve," VCH said online when announcing the testing centres were open again.
Those seeking other options for testing in the VCH region can go to go to a testing site at the University of British Columbia, which only offers takeaway rapid tests, or go to an urgent and primary care centre offering testing. According to the B.C. Centre for Disease Control's collection centre dashboard, several of those locations are by appointment only.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Half of Canadians have negative opinion of latest Liberal budget: poll
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
NEW 'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Canadian couple among tourists on sinking sailing boat tour abroad
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their “extremely dangerous” experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
An Ontario senior called Geek Squad for help with his printer. Instead, he got scammed out of $25,000
An Ontario senior’s attempt to get technical help online led him into a spoofing scam where he lost $25,000. Now, he’s sharing his story to warn others.
Accused of burglary at stepmother's home, U.S. senator says she wanted her father's ashes: charges
A Minnesota state senator and former broadcast meteorologist told police that she broke into her stepmother's home because her stepmother refused to give her items of sentimental value from her late father, including his ashes, according to burglary charges filed Tuesday.
Twins from Toronto were Canada's top two female finishers at this year's Boston Marathon
When identical twin sisters Kim and Michelle Krezonoski were invited to compete against some of the world’s most elite female runners at last week’s Boston Marathon, they were in disbelief.