Rapid virus tests deployed across Ontario
Improved COVID -19 tests in use at 36 long-term-care homes, 27 retirement homes, and some hospitals
TORONTO — COVID -19 rapid tests are now being used in some Ontario hospitals and long-term-care homes, with more set to be distributed across the health-care system in the coming weeks, the provincial government said Tuesday.
Premier Doug Ford said rapid tests, which can produce results in minutes rather than days, have been sent to 36 long-termcare homes and 27 retirement homes, and some hospitals.
“People are using them as we speak right now and the more that come in, the more we’re going to get throughout the system,” Ford told an afternoon news conference.
The province will continue to deploy the 98,000 ID Now tests and 1.2 million Panbio tests it has received from the federal government in the coming weeks, he said.
The testing kits are earmarked for a total of 22 hospitals, including two hospitals already using them, as well as remote communities and some outbreak areas in hot spot regions, the government said.
Some will also be sent to corporations such as Air Canada and Ontario Power Generation, it said.
Health Minister Christine Elliott said another 1.5 million Panbio tests are expected to arrive in Ontario next month.
The premier has repeatedly called the rapid tests “game changers” in the fight against COVID-19.
The “gold-standard” COVID-19 tests need to be processed in a lab, which can take at least a day to process.
Rapid tests can be processed right where the patient is tested but are generally considered less reliable than lab-based tests.