Symptomatic Manitobans shouldn't seek rapid COVID-19 tests at pharmacies, association says

An association that represents pharmacists in Manitobais discouraging people with COVID-19symptoms from seeking out rapid antigen tests at pharmacies.

Pharmacists Manitoba is instead urging those people to go to provincial testing sites.

Rapid testing at pharmacies has always been intended for asymptomatic individuals, the organization said in a news release Thursday. Those with symptoms, as well as asymptomatic close contacts of positive cases, are asked to go to public test sites where PCR tests are done.

Former Pharmacists Manitoba president Ashley Hart said pharmacistshave been "extremely busy" lately.

"We are fielding many questions daily related to who can come into a pharmacy for a rapid antigen test," Hart said in a statement. "We wanted to help share the current public health recommendations to Manitobans."

Demand for PCR testshas surged at testing sites as the Omicron coronavirus variant has spread rapidly in recent weeks. That's resultedin hours-long waits for testingand sample-processing backlogs that have seen some people waiting over a weekto get results.

Manitoba recently begangiving out free rapid tests at those sites as well to symptomatic people, those age five and up with symptoms, and asymptomatic close contacts of someone who has tested positive.

Rapid tests administered by pharmacistsrun between $15 and $70, according to Pharmacists Manitoba.

Pharmacies will continue to carry rapid tests in stock for those without symptoms and those who have not been a close contact of a positive case, the associationsaid.

Pharmacies are still selling Health Canada-approved take-home rapid tests to the public, but supplies are "extremely low."