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The temporary assessment centre in Brooks, where asymptomatic testing was held. (CHAT News Today)

Asymptomatic testing event in Brooks draws in 3,653

Apr 30, 2020 | 1:17 PM

BROOKS, AB – The City of Brooks, in partnership with Alberta Health Services (AHS) has tested nearly 15 per cent of their entire regional population for COVID-19 in just a few days.

At the temporary assessment centre at the Jaycee Welding building, officials were allowing those who do not show any symptoms of the virus to get a test for it.

The event was held from Monday to Wednesday and resulted in 3,652 people getting tested.

This does not include testing for those at the Brooks Health Centre for those who do have symptoms.

“Our number of confirmed cases reported will likely increase dramatically over the next few days but that is to be expected with such a dramatic increase in testing!” reads a notice from the city.

As of Wednesday afternoon, 763 cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in Brooks, making up approximately 91.5 per cent of all cases in the South Health Zone.

The 2016 federal census showed that Brooks had a population of 14,451, meaning just over five per cent of all residents had tested positive.

The City of Brooks is reminding the public that, if anyone tests positive for COVID-19, they must stay home for 10 days from when they first got sick or until symptoms go away, whichever is longer.