The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) has confirmed that there is a COVID-19 testing centre in Swift Current since Friday.

Swift Current Online reached out to Doug Dahl, communications officer with the SHA, who confirmed its existence, saying:

"We are in the process of opening additional testing centres, including a site in Swift Current which opened on Friday. These testing centers are being designated in existing SHA facilities as well as off-site locations, depending on the local circumstances. They are in addition to the testing that is being done at SHA facilities across the province, although the intent is to generally move toward centralized testing locations."

For a number of reasons, however, the SHA will not give out specific location information in much the same way that they do not publish specific patients' locations.

Lisa Thomson, an SHA media relations consultant, explained:

"We are not publicly disclosing the specific locations of our testing centres, to ensure that patient privacy is protected, Infection Prevention and Control measures are followed and that the centres are not overwhelmed with patients that do not require testing."

In short, the new testing centre in Swift Current is not meant to be treated as a walk-in centre for anyone who wishes to go for testing.

If someone is feeling symptomatic and fears they have contracted COVID-19, they should immediately self-isolate and contact HealthLine 811 and follow the instructions given from there.