Rapid COVID-19 test kits now available at select Sask. locations
As of Friday, several locations around Saskatchewan had received rapid COVID-19 test kits to be distributed to the public for free.
Earlier this week, there was a delay in the shipment of the kits.
A list of places where the tests are available is post on the Government of Saskatchewan’s website and will be updated daily around 1:30 p.m.
The times when the public can pick the kits up depends on when offices are open. Those days and times are also listed on the government website.
John Hopkins, the CEO of the Regina & District Chamber of Commerce, said his office received about 4,000 kits on Thursday. Each kit contains five separate tests.
“The one thing that’s very, very nice to see is that people are very grateful to have the kits. They’re excited to have them,” he said. “People have been coming ever since Monday, coming to the door and knocking on the door and knocking on windows just looking for these kits.”
Although the Regina office is listed on the government website as open on Tuesdays and Thursdays for pick up, Hopkins said their staff is eager to distribute the kits whenever they are open.
“We’re not going to turn people away,” Hopkins said. “You don’t have to be a member or anything like that, just somebody who lives in the community or even outside of the community.”
Each COVID-19 antigen rapid test kit contains five tests. (Stefanie Davis/CTV Regina)
As of Friday morning, the office still had plenty of tests to distribute. Hopkins said at this point, he isn’t sure if they’ll receive more kits after this shipment runs out.
“If people phone or email us, we’ll let them know if we have any more stock,” he added.
Resident Chris Miller was passing by the Regina office on Friday morning when he picked up a kit for himself.
“I wanted to make sure I got a rapid test because there’s so many moments in your day to day when you get a little tickle in the back of your throat, and you’re thinking ‘oh, could this be COVID-19?’” he said. “Now with a rapid test you can feel a little better knowing you’re making the right decision when you’re going out in public or going to work.”
Swift Current & District Chamber of Commerce received 940 rapid kits on Thursday. It opened its doors at 11:00 a.m. on Friday.
“We had intended to run until 2 p.m., but unfortunately we ran out of supply at about 11:45 a.m.,” Karla Wiens, the CEO of the Swift Current & District Chamber of Commerce, said. “People started lining up outside the office I believe around 10 a.m.”
Wiens said the goal for her office is to reduce the community spread of COVID-19, as well as the pressures on the health care system.
“It was very nice to see people clambering to get the kits,” she added. “The number of kits received by each distribution centre is determined by the SHA, so I think after this first initial distribution, they may reallocate to different centres. We have advised them immediately that we’re out of stock very quickly.”
The province said it deployed around 700,000 kits this week and expects more test kits to arrive in Saskatchewan every day.
“Distribution locations such as fire stations and chambers of commerce are completely voluntary. It will be up to each location to decide if they’re willing, or even able, to participate in the distribution of these kits,” Marlo Pritchard, president of the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency, said. “There is a fair amount of logistics that goes out in regards to identifying those locations that are willing to voluntarily deploy the rapid test kits.”
Pritchard said Saskatchewan is expecting an addition four million rapid test kits to arrive in November from the federal government.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A step forward': New screening criteria for sperm donors takes effect
Canadians looking to grow their families with the assistance of sperm or egg donations should soon have more options for donors as the federal health agency does away with longstanding restrictions criticized as discriminatory.
Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his head more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Case against ex-Mountie charged with helping China can go ahead in Quebec, judge says
A Quebec court judge has ruled that the case against a former RCMP officer charged with helping China conduct foreign interference can go ahead in the province.
Steve Albini, legendary producer for Nirvana, the Pixies and an alternative rock pioneer, dies at 61
Steve Albini, an alternative rock pioneer and legendary producer who shaped the musical landscape through his work with Nirvana, the Pixies, PJ Harvey and more, has died. He was 61.
Ippei Mizuhara, ex-interpreter for baseball star Shohei Ohtani, will plead guilty in betting case
The former interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani has agreed to plead guilty to bank and tax fraud in a sports betting case in which prosecutors allege he stole nearly US$17 million from the Japanese baseball player to pay off debts, federal prosecutors said Wednesday.
Watch fighter jet pilots pummel fake enemy ship off coast of Philippines
The United States and Philippines held annual joint-training drills just off the Southeast Asian nation’s western coast on Wednesday. Military forces sunk a 'mock' enemy warship – the BRP Lake Caliraya, which was a decommissioned tanker made in China.