70+ in B.C.? Where to get a COVID rapid test now that rollout has begun

Expect long lines at the pharmacy Friday, as B.C.’s rapid test rollout has officially started for people aged 70 and up.

The province has distributed hundreds of thousands of kits to select pharmacies, but it won’t be enough for everyone until more shipments come in.

The British Columbia Pharmacy Association has a list of places where you can get a kit, but calls made to ensure the accuracy of the list revealed not all locations are rolling the kits out as of Friday morning.

Several pharmacies told CityNews that they are hopeful for later Friday, or next week.

London Drugs General Manager Chris Chiew says store locations will be distributing kits, but is urging everyone to be patient.

“There’s limited supplies because out of the 860,000 tests, not everyone is going to be able to get one right away. But by next week, I feel there will be more coming in so if everyone’s patient you will be able to get the test your test that you want at that point,” Chiew said.

However, the tests are not valid for travel.

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“We will get replenished and as supply comes in I’m sure Minister Dix and Dr. Henry will lower the age requirement at that point and we will be able to make it available to more individuals as they want it,” Chiew said.

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You can also pick up a kit for your loved ones, but you will need to have their health card to prove they are in eligible age group.

People who are 69 but are turning 70 in 2022 can get a kit.

Chiew says you should prepare for the pickup process to take a few minutes as each person will need to be entered in the system to ensure they aren’t getting more than their share.

“That’s why it’s important to have your B.C. services care card because the government has actually put it in the system, and that’s why we have to process it in our computer system, because it will tell us if you are valid or not and whether you fall within that range,” he explained.

“You are allowed a box of five test strips every 28 days. So let’s say for example you got one today, but you go into another pharmacy tomorrow. That second pharmacy tomorrow will say ‘Sorry you are within that 28-day period we cannot give you one yet.”

On Wednesday, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said the tests are useful when you have symptoms.

“That’s when they are best used … They’re a red light, not a green light,” she said. “If you have symptoms and you need to know if they’re COVID, then these rapid tests are a really great way of doing that. And then you need to isolate until you’re five days or until you’re better.”

“If you have symptoms and you test negative, it doesn’t mean that all of those other measures that we have in place right now you can ignore,” Henry added.

Chiew says London Drugs will place a sign outside regarding the current stock, and it will also be on the message when you reach out to the pharmacy.

With files from Denise Wong