Millions of unused rapid COVID-19 tests prompt calls for greater access to free swabs across Canada

Medical experts across the country are calling on provincial health officials to make rapid COVID-19 tests free and easy to access.

With COVID-19 cases spiking across the country, and people preparing for indoor holiday celebrations, provincial governments are facing mounting pressure to make rapid tests more widely available.

Health Canada data shows the federal government has sent nearly 80-million rapid antigen tests to the provinces and territories, but just over 14.7 million were used as of Nov. 26.

Medical experts across the country have been calling on health officials to make the tests more accessible by making them free of charge, and more easily found at places like grocery checkouts — even gas stations.

READ MORE: B.C. government faces questions about lack of access to rapid COVID-19 tests

Canada’s rapid testing strategy has generally focused on long-term care homes, schools, and workplaces. Some provinces have limited the general public and people who are asymptomatic from accessing the tests.

With infection rates heading in the wrong direction in most jurisdictions, experts say expanding rapid testing is “critical.”

The Health Canada data shows that while the federal government has purchased more than 94.6 million rapid tests, just under 15 million have used, or roughly 16 per cent.

The antigen tests that typically use a shallow nasal swab are less reliable than the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test but can offer results in less than 15 minutes. They can be used right before a family gathering or large public events to help control transmission.