B.C.’s health minister says he’s aware of some people getting fake text messages telling them they tested positive for COVID-19.

Adrian Dix says its not an issue that is unique to British Columbia, noting if you did not get a test, the message you might get can be ignored.

“If you have a positive test result, you will be contacted by public health. You can also confirm your positive test result and view it by signing up for the health gateway. This is a trusted and secure source for your lab result,” he said. “Instructions to sign up for the health gateway are on the BC CDC website.”

The BC CDC does send test results by a text message though people have to register for the service first. Positive test results are given priority by contact tracing staff.

For results by phone, the BCCDC has a negative test result line at 1-833-707-2792, open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily. ‎Interior Health residents can check for COVID-19 test results online on the My Health Portal.

Public health teams say they’ve done 1.26 million COVID-19 tests since the pandemic began, the with the vast majority coming back negative.  There were 12,614 tests completed in the 24 hours to Dec. 10 alone, with 723 coming back positive.