Clinics testing for sexually transmitted infections have cut service because of the pandemic.
Two weeks after provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry offered advice on dating and sex during the pandemic, getting tested for a sexually transmitted infection in Vancouver is still out of reach for many.
Sexual health clinics run by the BC Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver Coastal Health and non-profits remain open to test urgent or symptomatic patients by appointment.
But non-urgent or routine STI testing — recommended to take place before starting with a new sexual partner or at least every year if your partners stay the same — has been suspended in clinics across the Lower Mainland due to the pandemic.
‘Testing has been one of the prevention pillars for sexual health in general and certainly for queer people as well.’
Jody Jollimore of the Community-Based Research Centre.
This article was written by Moira Wyton and originally posted on The Tyee. Please click HERE to read the full article.
