Expert calls on B.C. for more rapid tests amid soaring COVID-19 cases

With the holidays around the corner and COVID-19 cases rising, an infectious disease expert is joining the calls for more at-home rapid testing kits.

Although other Canadian provinces have been providing rapid tests, Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix have made it clear they are reluctant to follow suit.

The head of Vancouver’s Infectious Diseases centre, Dr. Brian Conway, says he is “puzzled” by the provincial government’s stance on rapid testing.

“Let’s understand the rapid test is most useful if it’s positive, it allows us to exclude individuals who would have been at risk of transmitting COVID to others, especially indoors. A test that is negative is not a replacement for a vaccine, rapid tests are not meant to be used to ensure that it is safe to be with others,” says Conway.

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The longer lineups at testing centers this month are a sure sign of British Columbians’ concern to be safe for holiday family gatherings.

“The main use of rapid tests would be to find people who are infected and did not yet know. In that context, they could be tremendously useful in making our holiday gathering safer.”

Although new restrictions still allow family gatherings, Conway says it is crucial to keep COVID protocol in mind.

“Try and keep the gatherings small, keep people spaced out, invest in a good sweater so you can open the doors and windows to enhance ventilation and think about wearing a mask.”

At-home gatherings are limited to a household plus either 10 guests or one other household, and everyone will have to be fully vaccinated.

Despite B.C.’s stance on at-home rapid tests, health officials urge British Columbians to be fully vaccinated and get a booster once they qualify.

 

– With files from Robyn Crawford