Don Urquhart, Times-Chronicle

British Columbians aged 60 years and older now have free access to rapid antigen tests through community pharmacies as schools hand out tests to students.

This week, the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the BC Pharmacy Association, is shipping COVID-19 rapid tests to pharmacies throughout the province. 

The rollout began on Friday, Feb. 25 with those eligible able to pick up one kit containing five tests every 28 days from participating pharmacies at no cost. 

Individuals must present their personal health number when picking up the kit or, if others are picking up kits on their behalf, in addition to the individual’s name and personal health number, date of birth must also be supplied.

The Times-Chronicle has checked with local pharmacies in Osoyoos and Oliver and all outlets – Pharmasave, Shoppers Drug Mart and Remedy RX (Oliver) have stock of the test kits, except for Shoppers in Oliver who said they are expecting them shortly.

“We started using rapid tests to protect those most vulnerable in our province, including those in long-term care, and now that we have at-home rapid tests available, we are expanding that strategy by making them available to all people 60 years and older,” said Dr. Bonnie Henry, provincial health officer. 

“This will allow people to quickly test for COVID-19 when they have symptoms so they can keep themselves and their loved ones safe.”

Meanwhile, local schools have moved to the next phase in which rapid antigen test kits are now being given out to students. 

At Oliver Elementary School (OES) the school sent out a letter to parents on March 4 informing them that each student would be issued a box of five rapid antigen tests. “We want to get these tests in the hands of parents to use at your discretion to help make decisions about coming to school and carrying on regular activities,” the school said in its letter. 

And in Osoyoos, Scott Tremblay, principal at Osoyoos Secondary School (OSS) said: “On Thursday of last week, we gave each student in the school a rapid test kit. Any student that did not receive a kit can pick one up at the office.”

Test kits are now becoming more widely available to the general public with a number of local pharmacies and supermarkets selling them. It is important to note, however, that grocery stores do not receive the same test kit lots that the pharmacies do.  Also, consumers should understand that some stores may be repackaging five test packs in-store, into single tests. 

In Osoyoos test kits for purchase are only available from Buy-Low Foods where a single test can be purchased for $19.99. Neither of the two pharmacies in town are currently selling test kits.

In Oliver, Pharmasave is selling a 2-pack for $39.99, while Remedy RX is selling single tests for $15. No grocery stores are selling test kits in Oliver. 

As of Feb. 23, 2022 B.C. has distributed more than 14,843,000 rapid antigen tests across the province, according to the Ministry of Health. 

B.C. is expecting to receive an additional 12 million tests from the federal government within the next four weeks, which will support the province’s strategy to further distribute tests to members of the broader community.

“Our expanded test availability means more people will be able to access rapid tests to use to understand their own symptoms and illness and to take action to limit transmission to their friends, family and work,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Health. 

 

COVID-19 Update

As of Monday, March 7, 2022 B.C. is reporting 997 new cases of COVID-19 over a three-day period with the Interior Health Region once again leading the new case count. 

The province currently has a total of 350,941 cases:

  • March 4-5: 385 new cases
  • March 5-6: 327 new cases
  • March 6-7: 285 new cases

The new cases include:

  • Fraser Health: 263
  • Vancouver Coastal Health: 209
  • Interior Health: 242
  • Northern Health: 79
  • Island Health: 204

In the past 72 hours, 11 new deaths including three in Interior health have been reported, for an overall total of 2,914.

As of Monday, March 7, 90.7 per cent of eligible people five and older in B.C. have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine and 86.5 per cent have received their second dose.