New Richmond COVID-19 Assessment Centre Opens

"British Columbians have come together in an extraordinary response to flatten the COVID-19 curve," said Adrian Dix, Minister of Health. "The new drive-through assessment centre in Richmond is an important step to strengthen our response as we move through the next stages of the pandemic."

Located at 6820 Gilbert road, in the parking lot of the Richmond Tennis Club, the Richmond Assessment Centre (RAC) will replace the current assessment centre at Richmond Hospital. The RAC will be open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and on statutory holidays from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. It is closed on Saturdays and Sundays. All residents with symptoms may access any assessment centre in B.C. For the most up to date hours and other collection centre locations, visit the BCCDC website.

Testing is recommended for anyone with cold, influenza or COVID-19-like symptoms, no matter how mild. While the criteria for testing expanded recently, not everyone needs a test. For example, if an individual has no symptoms, they do not require a test. A health-care provider may also decide whether a person requires testing.

Patients visiting the RAC will not need a referral or appointment, and will be seen on a first-come, first-served basis. Assessment for testing, if indicated, will be conducted for those with symptoms of COVID-19 which can include new onset of: fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, runny nose, nasal congestion, painful swallowing, loss of sense of smell, headache, muscle aches, fatigue or loss of appetite.

Current COVID-19 levels in Richmond and elsewhere in the Vancouver Coastal Health Region are very low, but as the recovery continues in Richmond and elsewhere in B.C., identifying any new cases of COVID-19 in a timely manner is very important, and this new assessment centre will contribute to those efforts. In particular, testing is strongly recommended for any individual with symptoms who has had contact with a known or suspected case of COVID-19 or returned from travel outside Canada within the previous 14 days. For more information on COVID-19 and testing, please visit www.vch.ca/COVID19  or www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/testing.

VCH is responsible for the delivery of $3.6 billion in community, hospital and long-term care 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.

For information about getting tested, please call 8-1-1.