Have you ever wanted to be tested for COVID-19 despite having no symptoms?
Many British Columbians say they were refused a COVID-19 test despite expressing concerns they might have been exposed to the virus -- but B.C.'s top doctor says people should be tested if they think they have been exposed.
Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry told reporters in Monday's (May 17) daily coronavirus briefing that people who are concerned they were exposed to the virus should get tested, despite showing no symptoms.
"So what I've said is that if people are concerned that they've been exposed, we're doing a lot of asymptomatic testing of people who have been exposed," she said.
"If people have somebody they know who's been exposed or tested positive then absolutely they should be tested."
"COVID-19 testing is not recommended for individuals without symptoms."
The BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) website currently states that "If you don’t have any symptoms, testing is not recommended even if you are a contact."
Additionally, the BCCDC adds that testing in B.C. is generally "not available through the provincial health care system for people without symptoms including routine screening for employment, travel, school, before surgery or for other health procedures."
Instead, people who are unsure if they should be tested for the virus are directed to use the B.C. COVID-19 Self-Assessment Tool.
Vancouver Coastal Health's website states that "COVID-19 testing is not recommended for individuals without symptoms."
Similarly, Fraser Health's website states that "If you have no symptoms, even if you are a contact of a confirmed case or a returning traveller, you do not require a test."
In B.C., numerous people have taken to social media to share their frustration with not being able to book a COVID-19 test despite coming in contact with someone who was positive for the virus.
