Saskatoon ag-based company looks to lighten the province’s load of COVID testing

Quantum Genetix is looking to ease the load of asymptomatic COVID testing on Saskatchewan, but it will cost you.

The company, which usually works within the agricultural sector, is now licensed and selling self-administered, asymptomatic testing kits for $150 per unit.

Its president, Leigh Marquess, joined Gormley on Thursday morning.

Marquess said the company operates the exact same tests as the province, and its daily workload isn’t too different based on the COVID testing work.

“It’s not too onerous. Of course, there’s a lot of things that go with it. The biosecurity levels (and) the overall handling of biohazard samples (is) probably the biggest challenge. Technically though, what we would do every single day is what a COVID test is,” Marquess explained.

People who can take the company’s test include travellers and business-related individuals who need a result in 48 hours.

“Our licence only allows us to test asymptomatic people. If you’re symptomatic, we’ll direct you to 811 immediately,” Marquess said. “We’re really there to lighten the load (for the province).”

The company has not missed the 48-hour window for COVID results, according to its president. The test can be taken at home or at the company’s Saskatoon facility.

Following the province’s announcement on the asymptomatic testing, Marquess said the company has had a positive reaction.

It has not hit its maximum load of 380 tests per day, as of yet. Marquess said the company will continue its efforts until the need simply isn’t there anymore.

“The quicker we’re out of business, the better off for the whole country and province,” he explained.