B.C. to receive 10M rapid tests in next 3 weeks, 5M less than previously expected
Millions of rapid tests are expected to arrive in B.C. within the next few weeks, but it's significantly less than what was previously expected last week.
At a news conference Tuesday, Health Minister Adrian Dix said that the expected rapid antigen test deliveries from the federal government have changed since the province's last update.
B.C. is now expecting to receive 10,868,720 tests by mid-February.
"This is a reduction from the 15,719,000 expected as of last Friday," said Dix. "But that said, 10 million is a lot of tests and we're very appreciative to receive them."
The health minister also gave an update on the overall picture of rapid tests in the province. Here's a quick look by the numbers.
To date, B.C. has received 6,931,175 rapid tests and have deployed 4,130,656 of those tests to key areas.
"This leaves an inventory of 2,800,00 tests, 972,355 of which were received over the last four days," said Dix.
"About 550,000 of the current inventory are not suitable for deployment for takeaway or personal use. That leaves us 2,242,000 tests in our current inventory that are suitable for self-administered use."
Dix added that this week, the federal government will also be working to deliver more than 2,500,000 test kits to the following areas:
- 351,000 for distribution to COVID-19 testing sites across B.C. to replenish their supply;
- 603,750 to replenish supplies at acute care centres for symptomatic health-care workers and Health Authority programs;
- 210,000 to long-term care to replenish and continue to support symptomatic staff and to test visitors;
- 50,000 to assisted living to support symptomatic staff and to test visitors;
- 258,752 to support rural remote and Indigenous communities;
- 300,000 more test kits to support K to 12 education;
- 311,000 to support businesses and organizations as part of the point of care screening program.
"As more tests arrive, we will continue to push the areas in greatest need and expand access across post-secondary and other areas," said Dix.
"The BCCDC will be distributing rapid test kits to post-secondary institutions for employees and students with COVID-19 symptoms."
The health minister added that the province will also be allocating more than 250,000 rapid tests for the childcare sector and are working with the Ministry of Children and Family Development to determine the best use and delivery of tests for licenced childcare operators across B.C.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'He's in our hearts': Family and friends still seek answers one year after Nathan Wise’s disappearance
It’s been a year since Nathan Wise went missing and his family is no closer to finding out what happened to him.
'My family doctor just fired me': Ontario patients frustrated with de-rostering
Dozens of Ontarians are expressing frustration in the province’s health-care system after their family doctors either dropped them as patients or threatened to after they sought urgent care elsewhere.
Ottawa pizzeria places among top 20 deep-dish pizzas in the world at international competition
An Ottawa pizzeria is being recognized as one of the top 20 deep-dish pizzas in the world.
Canada Post cracks down on Nunavut loophole to get free Amazon Prime shipping
Amazon's paid subscription service provides free delivery for online shopping across Canada except for remote locations, the company said in an email. While customers in Iqaluit qualify for the offer, all other communities in Nunavut are excluded.
Wildfire near Fort McMurray more than triples overnight, several evacuation alerts remain in place
The fire burning near Fort McMurray grew from 25 hectares to 5,500 hectares over the weekend.
Putin replaces Russian defence minister in rare cabinet shakeup
Russia’s President Vladimir Putin began a Cabinet shakeup on Sunday, proposing the replacement of Sergei Shoigu as defence minister as he begins his fifth term in office.
Suspect sought after fatal slashing in downtown Toronto
Police are searching for a suspect in a homicide investigation after a man was slashed in downtown Toronto on Sunday.
WATCH Dashcam video shows terrifying near-miss on two-lane northern Ontario highway
There were some scary moments for several people on a northern Ontario highway caught on video Thursday after a chain reaction following a truck fire.
Edibles, armchairs and adapters: Here are the recalls for this week
Health Canada announced various product recalls this week, including electric adapters, armchairs, cannabis edibles and vehicle components.