By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

covid-19 update

One new Island Health COVID case, new testing method announced for K-12 students

Sep 17, 2020 | 3:28 PM

NANAIMO — A brief respite from new COVID-19 cases within Island Health is over.

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced on Thursday, Sept. 17 one new COVID-19 cases within the health authority, for a total of 196 since the pandemic began. Eleven are currently considered active.

It was announced among the record-high of 165 new cases across the province.

Dr. Henry said she’s pleased to see a made-in-B.C. testing method for students become available starting Thursday.

The new mouth rinse is available for school age children ages four to 19 at all COVID-19 collection centres.

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“Unlike the nasal swab, this is a new gargle where you swish it around your mouth and spit it into a little tube,” Dr. Henry said.

“It’s an easier way to collect it for young people. You don’t need to have it done by a healthcare provider, this is something you can do with the help of your parents, if needed, or by yourself.”

Dr. Henry said this type of testing is the first of its kind.

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