B.C. discourages COVID-19 testing for people without symptoms as cases surge
There was a steady flow of traffic at the handful of COVID-19 testing sites in Greater Victoria on Monday, but nothing like the massive lineups for PCR testing on the Lower Mainland, where vehicles snaked down the block at testing sites, as folks queued up for a COVID test.
The Ministry of Health acknowledged there were large lineups at some locations in B.C., issuing a statement Monday afternoon, noting, "We are seeing an increased number of people getting tested and are aware there may be longer than anticipated wait times at some COVID-19 testing sites, including in the Lower Mainland.”
Because of those lineups, the statement went on to ask people not to book PCR tests unless they showed symptoms of COVID-19.
"Those who do not have symptoms are strongly advised not to access testing services to allow frontline providers to prioritize care to those who are most likely to be infected," the statement continues.
"Before visiting a test site, we advise all residents to complete B.C.’s COVID-19 Self-Assessment Tool to ensure they require a test."
On Vancouver Island, where lineups for the PCR test were considerably smaller, many said they still wanted to see rapid tests – that could be completed at home – made available.
It’s a perspective reflected in the results of a recent poll by the Angus Reid Institute that shows 46 per cent of Canadians think their provincial government has done a poor job or very poor job of providing rapid antigen tests where they’re needed.
Shachi Kurl with Angus Reid says many Canadians would like to feel as though they have access to as many layers of protection as possible – especially as the Omicron variant ramps up.
"While there is an understanding that rapid antigen tests are not perfect, they’re not foolproof, they certainly – in some cases – may provide that much more peace of mind," said Kurl on Monday.
In B.C., where take-home kits of the rapid tests haven’t been made as readily available as in other provinces like Alberta, Ontario and Nova Scotia, the percentage of those dissatisfied with the provincial government’s efforts on rapid tests is slightly higher – 48 per cent – than the overall national figure.
British Columbia is expected to announce its rapid test plan at a press conference Tuesday. It's also expected to announce new measures in the fight against COVID at 1:30 p.m.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. seeks ban on public drug use, dialing back decriminalization
The B.C. NDP has asked the federal government to recriminalize public drug use, marking a major shift in the province's approach to addressing the deadly overdose crisis.
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
Last letters of pioneering climber who died on Everest reveal dark side of mountaineering
George Mallory is renowned for being one of the first British mountaineers to attempt to scale the dizzying heights of Mount Everest during the 1920s. Nearly a century later, newly digitized letters shed light on Mallory’s hopes and fears about ascending Everest.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
Trump's lawyers try to discredit testimony of prosecution's first witness in hush money trial
Donald Trump's defence team attacked the credibility Friday of the prosecution's first witness in his hush money case, seeking to discredit testimony detailing a scheme between Trump and a tabloid to bury negative stories to protect the Republican's 2016 presidential campaign.
U.S. flight attendant indicted in attempt to record teen girl in airplane bathroom
An American Airlines flight attendant was indicted Thursday after authorities said he tried to secretly record video of a 14-year-old girl using an airplane bathroom last September.
Powerful tornado tears across Nebraska, weather service warns of 'catastrophic' damage
Devastating tornadoes tore across parts of eastern Nebraska and northeast Texas Friday as a multi-day severe thunderstorm event ramped up in the central United States.