Non-profit hands out COVID-19 rapid test kits in hard-hit Fraser Valley communities
Parts of the Fraser Valley with high COVID-19 transmission rates are getting an added layer of protection in the fight against the virus.
Take-home rapid antigen test kits are being given out to people who live in the Fraser Health region. Each kit contains 25 nasal swab tests, which provide results in approximately 15 minutes.
Hundreds of the Health-Canada-approved kits were distributed for free in Chilliwack on Saturday morning at a pop-up event organized by the Engaged Communities Canada Society (ECCS). The group, which helps underserved communities access support services, handed out the kits in partnership with the Fraser Health Authority.
“This project is a true reflection of what the virus is doing,” said Upkar Tatlay, founder of ECCS.
The kits are only available to people who live in the Fraser Health region, which stretches westward to Burnaby, and eastward to Hope.
“Based on information the health authority is getting, they’re providing guidance to us to then go into the community and hit those hotspots,” Tatlay explained.
In late September, the province announced tighter COVID-19 restrictions for the Fraser East local health area, which includes Chilliwack, Abbotsford, Mission, Hope and Agassiz-Harrison. For the past week, Tatlay’s group has been handing out test kits in the area, much to the pleasure of residents.
“It’s amazing. I am so, so happy we’re able to access these today,” said Colleen Alton, a Grade 1 teacher in Chilliwack. She says having access to rapid tests will allow her to see her parents regularly.
“They’re older, and with me teaching Grade 1, I’m nervous (visiting them). I don’t visit them often enough.”
“It’s really important that if I am self-monitoring and start showing symptoms, I can quickly take a test and get results at home,” said Liam Archer, a teacher at Chilliwack Secondary School. Archer says access to rapid tests will give him peace of mind that he is not exposing any of his students or colleagues to the virus.
On Saturday, many of those picking up rapid test kits were parents of children under the age of 12, who are still ineligible for a COVID-19 vaccine. With no school-based rapid testing program in B.C., parents like Mirjam Gregoire decided to take initiative.
“I work at a long-term care facility and we use (rapid tests) on a daily basis,” she said. “They are so handy, and since my kids are in school, preschool and daycare, I thought I’d like to have them around the house.”
According to the ECCS, the kits are intended for people who are partially vaccinated, ineligible for a vaccine, or at higher risk of contracting the virus.
“There’s really no specific category of individual,” said Tatlay. “We’re just making sure those people who need the tests are getting them.”
For updates on future pop-ups, check the ECCS Facebook page.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Western University researchers unlock potential 'cure' for ALS
New research out of London, Ont.'s Western University is shedding light on a potential cure for ALS, in which the targeting of the interaction between two proteins can halt or fully reverse the disease's progression.
Police release 3D images of young child found in an Ontario river two years ago
Police have released a three-dimensional image of a young child whose remains were discovered in the Grand River in Dunnville, Ont. almost two years ago.
B.C. brings in law on name changes on day that child killer's new identity revealed
The BC NDP have tabled legislation aimed at stopping people who have committed certain heinous acts from changing their names.
Kamala Harris drops F-bomb during White House live-stream
U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris used a profanity on Monday while offering advice to young Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders about how to break through barriers.
B.C. man fighting for refund after finding someone living at Whistler vacation rental
Edwin Mostered spent thousands of dollars booking a vacation home in Whistler, B.C., for a group skiing trip earlier this year – or so he thought.
Avs forward Valeri Nichushkin suspended at least six months
Colorado Avalanche forward Valeri Nichushkin was suspended for at least six months without pay and placed in Stage 3 of the league's player assistance program.
Collapsed Baltimore bridge span comes down with a boom after crews set off chain of explosives
Crews conducted a controlled demolition Monday to break down the largest remaining span of the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore.
Security video caught admitted serial killer disposing of bodies in Winnipeg garbage bins
Security video caught admitted serial killer Jeremy Skibicki on multiple late-night outings, disposing of body parts in nearby garbage bins and dumpsters in the middle of the night.
Mortgage companies could intensify the next recession, U.S. officials warn
U.S. officials worry the next recession could be intensified by a cascading series of failures in the mortgage industry caused by crashing home prices, frozen financial markets and soaring delinquencies.