The region said, “they have sent around 76 million quick tests.”
The Ontario government introduced free rapid antigen testing for COVID-19 that will be available at certain supermarkets and pharmacies across the province. Per visit, one box containing five tests will be distributed to each household. Costco, Shoppers Drug Mart, Loblaws, Metro, Food Basics, Rexall, Sobeys, Real Canadian Superstore, Longo's, and Walmart are among the participating stores. Longo's will make testing available by web-based staple conveyance request before shifting to in-store pick-up. Walmart initially said that the test devices will be available online with staple pickup arrangements but not in-store. Regardless, the retail company stated that customers seeking to make an online basic food item request would need to have a minimum purchase of more than $35.
Moreover, Premier Doug Ford declared in a tweet on Wednesday, "free means free." "We're giving #RapidTests for nothing, and all interested accomplices are expected to respect that - no essentials or compulsory buy," he stated. "If they don't, we'll distribute them to shops or pharmacy stores who will."
Furthermore, officials emphasized that there will be no delays or stumbling blocks in getting the rapid tests. Retailers are not obligated to record health cards or names in order to ensure that each household receives one test unit. Authorities anticipate Ontarians will follow the one box per family regulation.
Retailers were selected based on their ability to move and properly store the tests; - in fact, officials noted that the tests should be kept at room temperature and cannot be frozen. During the next two months, up to 5.5 million test boxes will be made available to the general public on a weekly basis. . In December, the government restricted PCR testing to the most vulnerable and significant gamble situations;, for example, PCR testing was devoted to medical services, long distance care, and other assembly settings. As a result, the general population did not have access to free testing. Ontario Health Minister Christine Elliott stated that PCR testing thresholds will remain unchanged. The prolonged use of rapid antigen testing is being recommended for people with adverse effects, specifically those without indications such as screening, and it’s also suggested for "test-to-work" objectives that address fundamental labor force demands in high-risk environments. Elliott noted that the rapid tests should not be used on asymptomatic people who want to go out for a get-together or a party. She stated that testing would be appropriate if the patient is an elderly relative or someone who is immunocompromised.
Here is a complete list of locations where the rapid test kits are available. The initiative will run eight weeks and will distribute up to 44 million tests in total. The administration was unable to specify whether the programme will be continued beyond that point. There are no safeguards in place to prevent a single person from visiting various sites and picking up many boxes of tests. Instead, the province is requesting that citizens be responsible and refrain from stockpiling. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the provincial government has purchased a total of 157.6 million quick tests. Ontario has received 80.48 million of these tests, and 76 million have been deployed.
“Approximately, 99% of the rolled out tests have already been used,” the government said.
Works Cited
Phil Tsekouras. (2022, February 9). Rapid COVID-19 tests now available for free in Ontario pharmacies and grocery stores. Toronto. https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/free-rapid-covid-19-tests-now-available-in-ontario-pharmacies-and-grocery-stores-1.5774088
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