Demand prompts Sask. to remove list of locations to get COVID-19 self-testing kits

Saskatchewan has removed a list of locations where residents were supposed to be able to get COVID-19 rapid, self-testing kitfrom its website ahead of the program's launch this week.

Last week the province posted on itswebsite20 locationswhere more than1.3 million COVID-19 rapid, self-testing kitswere supposed to be made available to the public.

That list was removedfrom thewebsiteover the weekend with no notice to media or the general public.

The Ministry of Health says the removal was because of an incredible demand for the take-home tests, which aren't yet available to be picked up.

"As soon as the locations were posted, many locations received phone calls and foot traffic, despite the kits not having shipped yet," said Matthew Glover, a spokesperson for the ministry, in a news release.

The self-testing kitsare supposed to be availableto the public for asymptomatic surveillance as part of Saskatchewan'sTest to Protect program, which begins this week.

The testing kits are free of charge andmembers of the public are supposed to be able to pick up tests at fire halls, local chambers of commerce, and SHAtesting and assessment centres.

The province said the tests will be made available sometime later this week, although itdidn't provide a specific date or time.

The ministry said it will post location where the kits can be picked up as the deliveries are made.

It will be first-come, first-served, with a limit of one testing kit per family.

Confusion reigns

Multiple organizations posted about their lack of knowledge around availability of the test kits.

Warman Fire Rescue was supposed to be one of the distribution points for the rapid testing kits.

Apost on the Warman Fire Rescue Facebook page Sunday eveninginformed residentsthat ithad yet to receivethe testsand didn't know when theywould arrive or how many it would get.

"We will post here when we get them and details on rules for distribution," the post read.

"Coming to the Firehall, phoning us or contacting Members won't help."

CBC News observed multiple peopleattempting to walk up to the Regina Chamber of Commerce, another one of the locations on the province'slist before it was pulled down.All of them stopped and got back in their vehicles once they saw a sign taped to the door informing them that the rapid tests were not available.

'Prevent asymptomatic transmission'

In a news releaselast week, the Ministry of Healthtouted the incoming program as a way to stop asymptomatic transmission of COVID-19.

"Routine, voluntary testing at home will help prevent asymptomatic transmission to those who are not able to be vaccinated and will reduce COVID-19 transmission in the community," read the release.

The province said these tests cannot be used to fulfil the negative test result requirement for event venues and some businesses. They are also "not a substitute for COVID-19 vaccination."

The 1.3 millionkitsare a part of 2.6 million rapid antigen test kits that the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) is also handing out to schools, congregateliving settings and First Nations communities in the province.

Of the remaining 1.3 million test kits, more than 360,000 will go to First Nation communities via Indigenous Services Canada and about 720,000 are planned for schools.

The rest will go to other areas of the program including congregate living settings, health-care workers and select businesses registered with the SHA workplace surveillance program.

The testing kits are being distributed in bundles and are expected to go quickly to one kit per household on a first-come, first-served basis.

Saskatchewan has also asked the federal government to send fourmillion test kits per month, rather than the onemillion the province originally requested.