COVID-19: Manitoba to Provide Take-Home Tests at its Test Sites – Winnipeg | The Canadian News

Manitoba is ready to begin providing take-home rapid tests at its test sites. The type of proof a person receives will be based on vaccination status.

Someone who is vaccinated but symptomatic will be sent home with a rapid test, but may be randomly selected for a PCR test. If the rapid self-test is positive, that person would be advised to return for a PCR test to confirm the positive result.

The province says unvaccinated, symptomatic, and high-risk people can receive a PCR test and rapid take-home test, and be referred for monoclonal antibody treatment.

“While it is not a substitute for the vaccine, monoclonal antibody treatment can help reduce the risk of hospitalization from COVID-19 in those who are at high risk of serious illness,” the province said.

“The treatment gives the body temporary antibodies to help the immune system fight the infection.”

These changes will take effect gradually at test sites across the province. Four have made the switch.

They are:

• drive-thru test site, 1066 Nairn Ave., Winnipeg
• Drive-thru test center at MPI, 125 King Edward St., Winnipeg
• walk-in test site, 1 Research Rd., Winnipeg
• test site, 100 Easton Dr., Winnipeg

“Centralized use of rapid test kits is necessary to manage the supply that we have in stock,” Audrey Gordon, Manitoba’s minister of health and care for the elderly, said in a press release.

“Making rapid self-administered and take-home tests available to symptomatic Manitobians seeking a COVID-19 test will help manage the potential demand for testing when the omicron variant of interest becomes more prominent.”

In addition, the province says it is making rapid tests available at 20 Manitoba family social services offices across the province. More than 15,000 test kits, each with three tests, will be distributed to customers later this week.

Additional 1,764 kits will be provided directly to Community Living Disability Services clients living independently with support. Children and family services staff will receive about 400 kits each month to use when visiting vulnerable clients.

The minister notes that Manitobaans should not visit COVID-19 testing sites for travel purposes, but rather seek such tests in the private sector.