Emergency room doctor, teacher call for rapid antigen testing in B.C. schools
An emergency room physician at St. Paul's Hospital is calling on the B.C. government to join other provinces and launch a school-based rapid antigen testing program for students.
Dr. Shannon O’Donnell’s children attend Capilano Elementary in North Vancouver, where five classes have been impacted by recent COVID-19 exposures. One division is now in a two week quarantine, and the other four are still attending class, but have been told to self-monitor for symptoms.
“It’s a perfect opportunity to add this layer of protection for the kids who are asked to monitor for symptoms,” said O’Donnell. “If their family received 10 or 14 days of tests, then they could test the child each day at home before sending them to school.”
Paul Tupper, an infectious disease modeller at Simon Fraser University, agrees. “If we are concerned enough about a kid that we are asking them to self-monitor, I think that’s a good enough reason to ask them to take a rapid test,” he said.
This week, the governments of Ontario, Quebec and Alberta all announced new or expanded rapid antigen testing in schools. They’re already in use in Saskatchewan and Nova Scotia.
“I think B.C. should completely do it,“ said Burnaby teacher Jennifer Heighton. “Especially in a school that is having some positive cases. I think rapid testing in the classroom where those cases have been found would give parents the peace of mind to know whether or not their child might have it.”
The education minister says the province is already offering take home gargle tests to students who have COVID symptoms at school. But those are PCR tests, and need to be sent to a lab.
“The problem with PCR tests is for one, they’re expensive, and we learn the results a couple days later. And that’s often too slow to really stop transmission from happening, because we know children or anyone can transit COVID without symptoms,” said Tupper.
O’Donnell says the take home rapid tests are simple for parents, with results in about 15 minutes. While B.C.’s health minister says Canada is experiencing a shortage of rapid tests, other provinces appear to be sourcing a supply for schools, and using them to screen students after classroom exposures.
“I think it’s the perfect scenario, we have been using it in health care facilities when we get outbreaks there,” said O’Donnell.
She’s relieved her children aren’t in the four classrooms that have been told to self-monitor at Capilano Elementary. But O’Donnell believes rapid testing is needed for the students that are.
“I feel better that they’re all in masks now, “ she said. “But definitely having that available, it just makes sense.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Police officer hit by driver of fleeing vehicle in Toronto
York Regional Police say they are continuing to search for a suspect in an auto theft investigation who was captured on video running over a police officer in Toronto last month.
Premier Legault reiterates that McGill pro-Palestinian camp must be dismantled
Quebec Premier François Legault reiterated that the pro-Palestinian encampment at McGill University must be dismantled while police remain 'on the lookout for new developments.'
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.
The UN warns Sudan's warring parties that Darfur risks starvation and death if aid isn't allowed in
The United Nations food agency warned Sudan's warring parties Friday that there is a serious risk of widespread starvation and death in Darfur and elsewhere in Sudan if they don't allow humanitarian aid into the vast western region.
‘We made them safer and more fun’: Here’s what’s new about e-scooters
Electric scooters (e-scooters) have been gaining popularity in the capital and this season comes with some changes and updates.
Two killed after collision with truck on Hwy. 417 near Limoges, Ont.
Ontario Provincial Police say two people were killed after a car and a transport truck collided in the westbound lanes of Highway 417 near Limoges, Ont. on Tuesday afternoon.
The kids from 'Mrs. Doubtfire' are all SUPER grown up now, and we're not OK
The adorable trio of child actors from the 1993 classic comedy 'Mrs. Doubtfire,' which starred the late and great Robin Williams, are all grown up and looking back on their seminal time together.
Hulk Hogan, hurricanes and a blockbuster recording: A week in review of the Trump hush money trial
Crucial witnesses took the stand in the second week of testimony in Donald Trump's hush money trial, including a California lawyer who negotiated deals at the center of the case and a longtime adviser to the former president.
Golf season a summer tourism driver in Canada
Golf is a sign of spring and summer and a major driver for seasonal tourism, experts say.