Demand accelerates for rapid tests in Sask. as Omicron threatens the holiday season
CBC
Saskatchewan people are scooping up rapid antigen test kits in droves, just as the holiday season kicks into high gear.
The government has put out 1.5 million rapid tests for distribution across the province. Libraries play a key role in handing out the kits and in Saskatoon people aren't hesitating to check the items out.
"We're just trying to keep up to the demand as much as possible," said Amanda Lepage, senior manager of welcoming initiatives at Saskatoon Public Library.
About 2,220 kits were distributed in the one week when they began handing out kits at the end of November, Lepage said. Last week, the nine library branches handed out more than 9,600 kits.
On Tuesday, the Cliff Wright branch alone gave out 759 kits. On Wednesday, the Alice Turner Branch gave out 40 within 10 minutes of opening.
Lepage said the people picking up the tests want to feel safer gathering this holiday season.
"We ordered seven more pallets of kits that will hopefully last us till the end of the year," she said, explaining that one pallet holds eight boxes and each box contains 108 kits and each individual kit contains five tests.
Saskatchewan is relying on its robust rapid test distribution as the Omicron variant makes its own rapid move across Canada. The variant is considered unpredictable, highly transmissible and is expected to become the dominant strain.
British Columbia, Ontario and Newfoundland and Labrador have introduced restrictions. But Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe has chosen not to limit holiday gathering or event capacity, despite modelling released Tuesday that predicts a huge spike in Omicron coronavirus variant cases in the province if no additional restrictions are implemented.
Dr. Saqib Shahab, Saskatchewan's chief medical health officer, said it is important to do a rapid test before and after going to another person's home or to an event. He also said people should use their best masks, reduce their contacts and stay home if sick. In addition, officials are encouraging anyone who can get a vaccine booster to do so.
The rapid test kits are available at more than 150 locations across the province such as local municipal offices, fire halls, hotels, 41 different Co-ops locations and chambers of commerce.
Saskatoon's chamber was distributing kits "almost every 3-5 minutes" on Wednesday morning.
"We've placed an order for an additional couple of thousand here just to make sure that we can serve anyone who's interested in grabbing a kit before the holidays start," said Jason Aebig, who is CEO for the Greater Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce.
WATCH | Infectious disease expert Craig Jenne explains why Omicron is alarming:
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