Province Deploys Rapid Testing in High Transmission, Remote and Rural Areas

The Province has provided an update on its rapid Covid-19 testing strategy and where its efforts are being aimed.

So far, Ontario has received 1.2 million Panbio tests and 98,000 ID-Now rapid tests via the Federal government with up to 1.5 million more Panbio tests coming by the end of December.

Premier Doug Ford says these tests can turn around Covid-19 results in minutes instead of days, which will help better protect places like Ontario’s long term care and retirement homes.

“We’ve already deployed these tests in 36 long term care homes and 27 retirement homes,” said the Premier. “The Panbio test will also be used in a screening program for our long term care homes.”

 

The tests are also being deployed in rural and remote communities and outbreaks in hot spot regions.

These new rapid tests are game-changers in the fight against COVID-19.

This technology can provide test results in hours, even minutes, instead of days. We're deploying them as quickly as possible to protect patients, long-term care residents, and our frontline heroes. pic.twitter.com/gix21F1uB1

— Doug Ford (@fordnation) November 24, 2020

Our government has deployed new rapid tests to provide faster #COVID19 results in regions of high transmission and rural & remote areas. These tests will help keep essential workers safe, improve access to testing and quickly detect & manage outbreaks. https://t.co/hHNXXURYgE pic.twitter.com/QHr1M3Eb6J

— Christine Elliott (@celliottability) November 24, 2020

To watch the Province’s full November 24th address, see below.