Free rapid COVID-19 self-tests available in Sask. beginning this week
CBC
About 1.3 million COVID-19 rapid, self-testing kits will be available to the public for asymptomatic surveillance free of charge beginning this week as part of Saskatchewan's Test to Protect program.
Those kits are a part of 2.6 million rapid antigen test kits that the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) is also handing out to schools, congregate living settings and First Nations communities in the province.
Members of the public can pick up tests at fire halls, local chambers of commerce and SHA testing and assessment centres. So far, 20 have been listed on the province's website with more locations to come.
"Routine, voluntary testing at home will help prevent asymptomatic transmission to those who are not able to be vaccinated and will reduce COVID-19 transmission in the community," the province's Ministry of Health said in a press release.
Of the remaining 1.3 million test kits, more than 360,000 will go to First Nation communities via Indigenous Services Canada and about 720,000 are planned for schools.
The rest will go to other areas of the program including congregate living settings, to health care workers and to select businesses registered with the SHA workplace surveillance program.
Self-testing kits are meant for those unable to get the vaccine — like school children under 12 years old — to continually test for COVID-19, while asymptomatic.
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