![COVID-19 rapid tests to be available next week in Interior Health long-term care homes](https://media-cdn.socastsrm.com/wordpress/wp-content/blogs.dir/1605/files/2020/04/Interior-Health-Logo.jpg)
Just as vaccine doses are about to arrive, rapid COVID-19 tests could be available for long-term care homes in the Kamloops area starting next week.
The test is meant to be a layer of protection, as a method for screening staff members and residents who need it.
Interior Health interim vice president of pandemic response, Karen Bloemink, says the health authority received supplies just this week for rapid testing.
“As we say, there are some logistics on operationalizing the equipment. But we’re working through them quickly, and we should have a better idea within the next week about how we’re going to be able that equipment in our pandemic response scenario,” Bloemink says.
“We expect to be ready to go with that equipment… by early next week. It’s true that equipment does provide a quicker response time on results. But it is very limited in terms of the number of tests it can do over a period of time.”
COVID-19 rapid tests were rolled out in several Lower Mainland long-term care homes this week as a pilot program.
The BC Care Providers Association has been asking throughout the fall for COVID-19 rapid tests. President Terry Lake says it’s better late than not having that option at all.
“It would’ve been much, much better to have done this two months ago. We could’ve perhaps saved some lives in the Lower Mainland particularly, and we could’ve reconnected families in time for Christmas,” Lake says.
“But of course it’s always better to do it now rather than not do it at all. Because we need these processes to be considered. This won’t be the last virus we deal with in long-term care, so understanding the benefit of long-term screening tests will help in the future as well.”
Lake says if a 15-minute rapid-test is available two or three times per week in long term care, it would help prevent the virus from spreading further in those facilities.