Ottawa to reassess rapid test distribution to provinces, territories by year’s end, PHAC says – CTV
June 5, 2022
The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) says that it plans to keep distributing COVID-19 rapid tests to provinces and territories until at least the end of the year, but is expected to reassess the situation and hold a “strategic reserve” for the future.
“As we approach the next phase of our COVID-19 response, we will continue to support provinces and territories by providing rapid tests until at least December 2022,” PHAC said in an emailed statement to CTV News.
The plan will be re-assessed before the end of the year, after monitoring changes in the spread of COVID-19, with the possibility of that rapid test distribution could continue, PHAC said.
The agency said the federal government will maintain a strategic reserve of 100 million rapid tests “as part of the overall national preparedness strategy,” with 50 million set aside for provinces and territories, and the remaining half for general surge requirements.
