Rapid tests not yet widely available, say Saskatoon and Regina school divisions

Premier Scott Moe says the provincial government is to release more detailed information about where, when and how the public can access self-administered rapid antigen tests throughout the province.

“Widespread access to these tests will provide residents with screening tools as Saskatchewan is experiencing increased rates of COVID-19. The idea that any resident or family will be able to obtain these tests for personal use, this is the goal … so that they can screen themselves or their loved ones for COVID-19,” Moe announced Thursday.

According to Health Canada, rapid antigen tests “detect specific proteins on the surface of the virus. They’re often called rapid tests, as they typically provide results in less than an hour.”

Right now, according to the province’s website, the tests are available in select settings, for Saskatchewan Health Authority health-care workers, first responders, dentists and pharmacists, and for workplaces, community businesses, agencies and organizations.

Select schools across the province are also taking part in a pilot program to make the tests available for students and their families.

However, during Thursday’s news conference, Moe told reporters the tests are readily available at all schools.

“Those tests area available today, through your schools,” he said. “Families could request one of those tests through the schools. We literally have hundreds of thousands of them available in our 700-plus schools across the province. And so, if a family did want to get their hands on a self-at-home test, they’d be able to request one from their schools today.”

But in Saskatoon, both the Catholic and public school divisions say that’s not the case. In separate statements, both indicated they do not have tests available at the request of students or parents for their children.

“Test kits for families are available to those taking part in the provincial self-testing pilot. Only one of our division’s schools has been designated to take part in this pilot. Otherwise, the school division does not have enough test kits to provide equitable access for all families,” wrote Veronica Baker, a spokesperson for the public board.

“We are expecting to receive more test kits in the coming weeks, which we hope will be enough to make available to families. We have shared test kits with all our schools for staff members to access at work voluntarily.”

The answer was similar for Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools.

“Rapid tests are not available for students in our schools at this time. There is a pilot program making them available for students in some school across the province, but none of our schools are part of this pilot. We do have some tests that are available for staff, but there is not enough to provide to students,” wrote spokesperson Derrick Kunz.

In Regina, while both the Catholic and public school divisions do have some tests available, the supply is limited. Representatives of both school divisions say they’re eager to receive more tests soon, and both encourage the use of rapid tests for school families.

It’s not clear when the school divisions may get additional rapid tests, how many, or when parents and students can begin regularly requesting them.