Wave of sickness sees uptick in demand for free COVID test kits

By Doug Coxson

COVID-19 may have become an afterthought with respiratory illnesses like RSV and seasonal influenza in heavy circulation, but the threat from the global pandemic remains high, particularly for the elderly and those with compromised immune systems.

The region's wastewater surveillance program is showing elevated levels of the virus in Cambridge in its latest sample, including the appearance a new mutations.

Waterloo region's medical officer of health Dr. Hsiu-Li Wang warned Friday that as the holiday season approaches, we need to remain vigilant and take precautions when gathering.

“Especially if we're gathering with people that have infants or elderly people in attendance, we can wear masks in those private indoor environments. We can make sure that if we start to have symptoms, that we don't attend,” she said. 

Mild COVID-19 often presents the same symptoms as other illnesses, making rapid antigen testing all the more important should it develop into more severe illness that requires treatment from one of four anti-viral and anti-inflammatory drugs.

Timing is important too since Paxlovid needs to be started within five days of the start of your symptoms and Remdesivir, fluvoxamine and budesonide need to be started within seven days.

Anyone who doesn't have a box of rapid antigen tests (RATs) sitting in a closet or medicine cabinet can easily pick them up free of charge from most local pharmacies and grocery stores.

Provincial spokesperson Denis Murphy said the provincial government is continuing to stock the kits at those locations “to provide low-barrier access to free symptomatic testing for members of the public that aren’t eligible for molecular testing.”

Despite the province's commitment to distribute the free kits, some retailers have decided to make them available for sale.

Staples is selling the five-test kits for $24.99 each on the chain’s online store and at some brick-and-mortar locations.

Selling an item that can easily be picked up for free prompted a few angry responses on social media earlier this month, hearkening back to the early days of the pandemic when Premier Doug Ford threatened to fine retailers for price gouging on items like hand sanitizer.

But Staples defends its position, saying it doesn't have access to the free kits and is simply offering a service to its business customers.

“Staples does not have access to the government free test kits as we are a non-grocery retailer. However, we purchased these kits to support our business customers in making sure their workplace is safe for their employees and customers,” Pamela Kennedy, Staples Canada’s manager of public relations and communications, told GuelphToday via email.

But in Waterloo region, the kits are free to any business that wants them thanks to an ongoing partnership between The Greater Kitchener Waterloo and Cambridge Chambers of Commerce that started in April 2021.

Cambridge Chamber president and CEO Greg Durocher says their office still has a healthy supply of the free rapid screening kits and any local business can request them, not just chamber members.

He said the Chamber Check program, which provides tests based on the number of employees, has “been a boost to the general health of the community,” in the year and half since the program launched.

Even as pandemic concerns subsided over the summer, many local businesses continued to place regular orders through the program's portal, he said in an emailed statement to CambridgeToday.

“The demand for the kits has continued as ongoing discussions continue regarding the extension of this federally-funded program,” Durocher added.

Even though the rules have changed around when people with symptoms should test and isolate if positive, the need for testing shouldn't come into question.

Manager of health communications with Region of Waterloo Public Health Sharon Ord said the RATs continue to be useful to assess COVID, giving anyone the option to seek timely medical care and therapeutics such as antivirals to prevent severe illness.                        

She recommends anyone experiencing symptoms of respiratory illness should self monitor for symptoms daily.

“If you are experiencing symptoms of respiratory illness stay at home until you do not have a fever and your symptoms have been improving for at least 24 hours (or 48 hours if you had nausea, vomiting or diarrhea),” she said in a statement to CambridgeToday.

Knowing you don't have COVID can provide peace of mind while at the same time leading anyone who tests positive to make ethical choices as they recover.

ROW Public Health says a positive RAT is a good indication you have COVID-19, but it does not need to be confirmed by a PCR test, and does not need to be reported unless otherwise directed.

It also doesn't mean life can't continue as normal when you feel well enough to do so, although it still requires caution.

“For 10 days after your symptoms started, wear a well-fitted mask in public spaces and when indoor with other people,” says Ord. “Do not visit persons in hospitals, retirement/long-term care homes, or persons who may be in a high-risk group (e.g., seniors and immunocompromised persons).”

– with files from CityNews Kitchener and GuelphToday

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