Ottawa COVID-19 testing sites can't keep up with demand, new rules expected

The Ottawa COVID-19 Testing Taskforce says new guidance for COVID-19testing, whichwill prioritize vulnerable populations and essential workers, will be here soon.

The anticipatedupdatecomes as public health officials in Ottawa say they're dealing withhighdemand for COVID-19 tests due to soaring casecounts as the highly transmissible Omicron variant takes hold.

Testingsites "cannot keep up with demand," Ottawa Public Health said in a tweet Monday.

Appointments foradults to getmolecular testing on Tuesday and Wednesday werefully booked as of Monday,although the Brewer Arena test site was accommodatingwalk-ins. The Ottawa Hospitalreleases appointments through its online portaltwo days in advance.

Before the newguidance takes effect, the taskforce says people who are unable to access a molecular testmust self-isolate regardless of vaccination status if they:

• Have testing positive on a rapid antigen test.
• Have been exposed to someone who has tested positive.
• Are a household member of someone who has tested positive.
• Are experiencing,or have someone in their household experiencing,any symptoms of COVID-19.

The taskforce says staff are working overtime to increasetesting capacity inOttawa.

Lack of rapid tests drives demand

Some peopleat the Brewersitewho spoke to CBC Ottawa said a lack of availability of rapid testspushedthem to seek out a PCR test.

Kelly Dennison drove to the arena from her home in Russell, Ont., to get a molecularteston Monday after experiencingCOVID-19 symptoms.

She said widerrapid test availability would have saved her the drive and eased the burden on public health.

"Ijust think the rapid tests should be available for everyone," saidDennison, who lives with her 89-year-old father. "Christmas is coming. You want to know whether your family coming in issafe to come into your home."

Ottawa Public Healthsaysrapid tests cannot diagnose COVID-19, therefore it recommends rapid tests only to those without symptoms for screening purposes.

The guidance from public health as of Monday was that people experiencingsymptoms of COVID-19 should get a PCR testimmediately.