COVID Test Finders finding a way to get rapid tests
While demand to make COVID-19 rapid antigen tests widely available, a new grassroots initiative founded by an Ontario doctor aims to help connect Canadians with the difficult-to-find tests while advocating for their use.
COVID Test Finders, created by Dr. Dalia Hasan, acts like the popular Vaccine Hunters Twitter account which informed people when a vaccine clinic near them was opening up or had space available.
“The public deserves to have them,” says Hasan.
Hasan and her team of volunteers search for information about where free rapid testing is available and tweet out details about where to obtain the tests, or have them done.
“We share free rapid test information and also testing centre,” Hasan explains. “We advocate for equitable rapid test accessibility across the country and we also crowd source rapid test donations and funds to distribute rapid test to vulnerable groups.”
The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit seems to have hesitation about the use of rapid testing. The acting medical officer of health Dr. Shanker Nesathurai said earlier this week there are factors to consider, including the accuracy of rapid antigen tests.
“It is 67 per cent sensitive. I think that's the number we're working with. So a coin toss is 50 per cent sensitive,” says Nesathurai. “Given the choice between a test that's done at a hospital or by a healthcare professional, or a test that's self-administered, one can reasonably infer that a test done at the hospital done by a trained professional is probably going to be done in a better fashion to give the right result.”
Across the country, provinces have taken a number of different approaches when it comes to the rollout of rapid antigen tests. As part of its enhanced winter testing strategy, Ontario is launching a holiday testing blitz next week to offer voluntary rapid antigen screening to asymptomatic individuals free of charge. Two million rapid tests will be provided at pop-up testing sites in high-traffic settings such as malls, retail settings, holiday markets and transit hubs.
Hasan tells CTV News, “I think any distribution of rapid tests is a good idea however I think distribution of rapid tests to everyone is a very good idea.”
While PCR tests are still widely considered the “gold standard” in Canada, because the samples from PCR tests must be sent to laboratories for processing, it can take days to receive results. Dr. Hasan says, “The virus is very smart. It’s invisible and it spreads quickly from person to person and that’s where rapid test play an essential role, because they’re able to catch whoever is positive in real time to be able to stop that transmission of COVID.”
Hasan says tests can still cost up to $40 for those who are able to get their hands on them.
Hasan and her team have now turned their account into a grassroots campaign, titled “Free the RATs [Rapid Antigen Tests],” and are now crowdsourcing money to buy rapid tests that will be donated to those who need them most.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
LIVE UPDATES Luigi Mangione, 26, arrested in connection with CEO shooting
Luigi Mangione was arrested in Altoona, Penn., after he was spotted at a McDonald’s, authorities say. The suspect was born and raised in Maryland and graduated from Ivy League University of Pennsylvania.
BREAKING Union reportedly drops wage demands in Canada Post negotiations
The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) has reportedly dopped its wage demand to 19 per cent over four years, CTV News has learned.
Liberal government survives third Conservative non-confidence vote
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's latest attempt to topple the minority Liberal government in a non-confidence vote failed on Monday, thanks to the New Democrats.
Trudeau says dealing with Trump will be 'a little more challenging' than last time
Justin Trudeau says dealing with incoming president Donald Trump and his thundering on trade will be 'a little more challenging' than the last time he was in the White House.
Montreal man retiring early after winning half of the $80 million Lotto-Max jackpot
Factor worker Jean Lamontagne, 63, will retire earlier than planned after he won $40 million on Dec. 3 in the Lotto-Max draw.
Rupert Murdoch fails in bid to change family trust, New York Times reports
A Nevada commissioner has ruled against Rupert Murdoch's bid to change his family trust to consolidate control of his media empire in the hands of his son Lachlan, the New York Times reported on Monday.
Katie Holmes refutes story about daughter Suri Cruise’s fortune
Katie Holmes has posted a screen grab of a Daily Mail article, which reported that her 18-year old daughter, whose father is Tom Cruise, is now a "millionaire."
Family spokesman says slain Edmonton security guard had only been working 3 days
A spokesman for the family of a security guard who police say was murdered while patrolling an Edmonton apartment building last week says the man had only been on the job for three days.
Sask. hockey player recovering after near fatal skate accident during game
The Sask East Hockey League (SEHL) has released details of a near fatal accident at one of its games over the weekend – which saw a Churchbridge Imperials player suffer serious injuries after being struck with a skate.