Free rapid test kits available at some testing sites
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 28/12/2021 (1672 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
To make it easier for Manitobans to get tested for COVID-19, the province is making take-home rapid test kits available for free.
A news release from Health and Seniors Care stated when someone visits a testing site, the type of test they receive will now be based on their vaccination status.
If they are symptomatic and vaccinated, they will receive a take-home, self-administered rapid test. A random number of fully vaccinated people will be selected for a PCR test as a control measure.
If they are symptomatic and unvaccinated, they will receive a PCR test. If they are asymptomatic, high-risk and unvaccinated, they may receive a PCR test and a take-home, self-administered rapid test and may be referred for monoclonal antibody treatment, which is essentially an immune-system booster but does not replace the work of a vaccine.
If the rapid test comes back positive, the individual will be advised to return for a PCR test to confirm the result, which is when the positive test result would be reported publicly. For those who test positive on a followup PCR test, the person will be contacted by a public health official who will give them information about isolation and also help determine if the individual meets the criteria for antibody treatment.
A nurse at the Keystone Centre COVID-19 testing site, who didn’t want to be named because she wasn’t authorized to speak publicly, said they currently did not have any test kits available, but said they would likely be coming soon.
She added the site had been swamped for the past week with people seeking tests. Many, she said, had acquired a rapid test either from their worksite, school or purchased one on their own, received a positive result and were coming in for confirmation.
A spokesperson for Prairie Mountain Health said they were looking into whether the region’s testing sites would have take-home kits available, but could not confirm by press time.
In addition to making rapid test kits available at provincial testing sites, test kits will be provided at 20 Manitoba Families social services offices across the province. More than 15,000 test kits with three tests each will be distributed to regular clients starting later this week. An additional 1,764 kits will be provided directly to Community Living Disability Services clients living independently with supports. Nearly 400 kits with three tests each will be provided per month to staff at child and family service agencies for use when visiting vulnerable children and clients.
Rapid antigen tests are also being distributed to families with students in kindergarten to Grade 6 in provincial schools, as well as schools in First Nations communities.
» kmckinley@brandonsun.com