More rapid tests coming to provinces as Omicron surges in Canada, says PM

With the Omicron variant of COVID-19 continuing to spread rapidly across Canada, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is promising to equip provinces with more tools to fight the pandemic.

As many communities deal with testing issues amid a spike in demand, Trudeau is assuring Canadians more rapid tests are on the way.

“We delivered a record number of tests in December. We’re going to quadruple that in January,” Trudeau said at his first COVID-19 update of 2022.

“In December 2021 only an additional 35 million tests were delivered to provinces and territories. Today, I am pleased to confirm an additional 140 million rapid tests will be delivered to provinces and territories in the month of January,” Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos confirmed.

Access to molecular tests has been restricted in many places as illnesses surged over the past several weeks. In some provinces, like B.C., people are being told to not seek out a PCR test if they show mild symptoms of COVID-19 due to the strain on the system.

The province has prioritized PCR tests for people 65 years and older, and those with underlying medical conditions. Others are being handed rapid tests at testing facilities.

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In its last fiscal update, the federal government earmarked $1.7 billion to secure a supply of about 180 million rapid tests.

The prime minister admits the holidays were tough for all Canadians and this is not the situation we wanted to be in to start the new year.

“We know — because we’ve seen it before when waves have hit like this Omicron wave has hit — we have to hunker down, we have to pull together, and it gets better in a few months. We are looking at a better spring as long as we all keep doing our part,” he said.

He once again is urging Canadians to get vaccinated if they are able to, noting there are enough doses for everyone to get a third dose.

Trudeau received his booster shot on Tuesday.