Long lines at free at-home rapid test kit giveaway in the Fraser Valley
Hundreds of people from the flood-ravaged communities of Abbotsford, Chilliwack and Hope lined up Sunday morning to get a box of 25 rapid antigen COVID-19 tests that they can use at home over the holidays.
The test kit boxes were being given away to residents of the eastern Fraser Valley by a non-profit organization, in a partnership with the local health authority.
“We are focused on high-transmission zones and areas where there are lower vaccinated rates," said Upkar Singh Tatlay, of the Engaged Communities Society, who gave a brief demonstration on how the at-home tests work before giving them to residents who showed ID.
"You can tell by the community that’s here today, it’s really important.”
The kits being handed out were given to B.C. by the federal government. The province has said it’s too time-consuming to break down the kits of 25 tests into smaller packages for a broader free giveaway, like the ones happening in other provinces.
“I do not understand what the government is saving these for,” said Elaine Foxgord, who lined up for her box of 25 tests so she could feel better about visiting family in Victoria this week.
“How could there possibly be a more crucial time than right now, with the Omicron variant going around - which is hugely transmissible - and people getting together for Christmas? It just doesn’t make sense to me,” she said.
John Denault, who came for a box of tests for himself, his wife and two young children, agreed.
“It would be awesome if the government did more to make this available,” he said. “We want to do our due diligence and make sure everyone is safe and everyone is having a Merry Christmas, and not getting COVID.”
Martin Wolf wonders why the test kits aren’t being made available at health units. He’s grateful he qualified for the free box.
“We want to be able to test ourselves if we’re worried about coming into contact with people who might have the virus,” he said.
Joanne Hamm wanted rapid tests in case she or her loved ones come down with the sniffles this holiday season.
“It’s way more convenient to test from our own home first before we go stand in the lines for the other testing," she said.
She also wonders why the test kits that the province has aren’t all being handed out now.
Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says the province is working on ways to make the rapid tests it does have more easily accessible, and will have more information on Tuesday.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Saskatoon police to search landfill for remains of woman missing since 2020
Saskatoon police say they will begin searching the city’s landfill for the remains of Mackenzie Lee Trottier, who has been missing for more than three years.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.