Horizon COVID-19 assessment centres adjusting operations

(HORIZON)  – Horizon wishes to inform the public that, effective Saturday, April 1, self-referral appointments for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing will no longer be available.

As of April 1, PCR testing at Horizon assessment centres will only be available for those who receive a referral through a family physician or primary care provider, the same as other viruses and diseases.

Those without access to a primary care provider can also be referred by consulting with a physician through an after-hours or walk-in clinic, through a virtual appointment with eVisitNB or by contacting Telecare 811.

These changes are being implemented in light of updated testing guidance from New Brunswick Public Health.

The existing online PCR self-referral system will no longer be available as of Saturday, April 1.

The number of self-referred PCR tests has been steadily declining over the past year. Approximately 8,000 self-referrals for PCR testing were received provincewide in March 2022, while just 370 were received in February 2023.

While all of Horizon’s COVID-19 assessment centres will remain operational, the hours of operation at our sites will be reduced from seven (7) to five (5) days a week (Monday to Friday).

In light of these changes, Horizon will be reassigning 26 of the 40 staff members of its COVID-19 assessment centres – a mix of Registered Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses, Respiratory Technicians and administrative support – back to roles in our hospitals or in primary health care.

Rapid test kits – also known as point of care testing (POCT) kits – will continue to be readily available by appointment through a variety of community-based sites, including public libraries, municipal buildings and health centres.

As always, people are encouraged to register positive results from rapid tests by following the instructions online.

– 30 –