IMMEDIATE ATTENTION: All Terrace East Staff who worked Sept. 8-20 must be swabbed again on Sept. 21

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UPDATE – Continue your work schedule UNLESS the COVID test is positive or you develop symptoms

If you worked in Terrace East (in any department) between Sept. 8 – 20th, Public Health is ordering another COVID swab (PCR) to be completed on September 21, 2021. This is a point-prevalence test that determines if or how widely COVID is moving among the staff and residents. If you do not follow this order and get swabbed on September 21st, you prevent Public Health from making decisions about next steps, including increasing or removing protocols such as isolation.

There will be 2 Fraser Health nurses at Terrace East to swab those who are at work on September 21st.

If you worked in Terrace East for the original dates (Sept. 8-12) and then have not been working in Terrace East, please go to the community COVID swabbing site rather than re-entering Terrace East for the Fraser Health nursing to swab you for COVID.

All others must arrange to get a COVID swab done on Sept. 21st:

  • Call 604.587.3936 – 32470 Haida Drive, Abbotsford, BC
  • advise Menno Place (supervisor AND staffing) of the result of the PCR test;

If the PCR test result is positive:

  • 10 days have passed from the time of the positive rapid test, or
  • the staff member’s return has been approved by the medical health officer

What is a PCR test?
A PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test for COVID-19 is a test used to diagnosis people who are currently infected with SARS-CoV-2, which is the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. The test is a nose swab and is the most accurate and reliable test for diagnosing COVID-19. The PHO requires this test to be administered by a publicly funded program or a publicly paid health care provider.

Doesn’t my rapid test count?
No. A rapid test is a tool that is used as an additional layer of protection to prevent COVID from entering a Menno Place building/unit. It is not 100% accurate, although it is very effective.

Public Health does not keep track of rapid tests, but requires the full COVID PCR test for any of the orders for COVID testing. You can either have a PCR test as a swab OR as a gargle test.

What is PPT (point prevalence testing) and why are they doing it?

A point prevalence is a type of testing that provides information on the overall number of individuals affected in a health care facility. Conducting one or more rounds of testing when undetected transmission is suspected (or possible) helps to identify infected residents and staff before they get symptoms or if they never get symptoms. This makes it possible to manage people who are infected in order to limit further spread of COVID. Any resident or staff who tests positive is placed in isolation.