The drive-thru testing site has proven to be very popular. (Alison Sandstrom/paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

covid-19

110 people tested on Day 1 of P.A. COVID testing drive-thru

Dec 3, 2020 | 2:11 PM

UPDATE: Around 2 p.m. Thursday the testing site line-up was cut off to accommodate those who could be processed by the 4 p.m. closing time.

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The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) is reminding the public their new drive-thru testing site is open seven-days-a-week.

Like the first day on Wednesday, there was again a very large level of interest on Thursday. On the opening day, as many as 75 vehicles were lined up by mid-morning. Several people who had been waiting in line – some reportedly for hours – could not be tested by the time SHA announced a cut-off to the line-up soon after 2 p.m. on Wednesday. The drive-thru runs from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.

In an email to paNOW Thursday, SHA said 110 people were tested on the opening day.

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The SHA statement added:

We do advise that the because of the level of interest there are long wait times and remind everyone that this is location is available seven days a week. Individuals who are experiencing symptoms can also consult with HealthLIne 811 or their family physician for any questions or concerns.

Car wash repurposed

Tim Scharkowski is among the co-owners at the Cone Shop Car Wash and explained to paNOW he was approached by the Saskatchewan Health Authority to use his space.

“I am very pleased that we are able to help out,” he said. “Anything that’s going to make it easier to get more testing done so that we can stay ahead of it, I’m all for it.”

In addition to the testing being done this week, two days of walk-up testing was held at the business in mid-October. Scharkowski said that was done as a sort of trial period and obviously it worked out.

Coincidentally just two days before closing the shop for the winter, Scharkowski said he was approached by the province about the testing, and they have since signed an extended lease for the next few months.

“It all just worked out,” Scharkowski said.

Financial details of the arrangement have not been disclosed.

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panews@jpbg.ca

On Twitter:@princealbertnow