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
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
New Norad commander calls Canada's defence policy update 'very encouraging'
American troops will be spending more time training in the Far North, the new commander of Norad says, a strategy that fits 'hand-in-glove' with Canada's renewed focus on Arctic defence.
$70M Lotto Max winners kept prize a secret from family for 2 months
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Are Canadians getting sick from expired food?
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Documents reveal Ottawa's efforts to get Loblaw, Walmart on board with grocery code
It was evident to the federal government as early as last fall that Loblaw and Walmart might be holdouts to the grocery code of conduct, jeopardizing the project's success.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Improve balance and build core strength with this exercise
When it comes to cardiovascular fitness, you may tend to focus on activities that move you forward, such as walking, running and cycling.