Teachers to get rapid COVID-19 tests
Posted December 3, 2020 2:55 pm.
Last Updated December 3, 2020 3:01 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
WINNIPEG – Teachers will soon have access to rapid COVID-19 tests as apart of a new pilot program that prioritizes testing for frontline workers.
Premier Brian Pallister announced Thursday that the province placed a $40-million order for the Songbird Hyris rapid tests, which will help deliver 45,000 tests a month.
Pallister also announced Manitoba will have enough vaccines to give every Manitoban the shot twice, with the doses being given 30 days apart–something he says is needed for the early versions of the vaccine.
WATCH: Premier Pallister to update COVID-19 rapid testing
However, Pallister said Manitobans are being “put at the back of the line” in the federal government’s rollout plan.
“We would have the least amount of vaccines available,” said Pallister, adding the federal plan as it is will disadvantage Manitobans.
“Over time, the vaccine will be available to every Manitoban who wants it and this will help to protect all of us against COVID-19. In the meantime, we must continue to follow the public health advice of our public health experts, focus on the fundamentals and stay home,” he said.
He said once the vaccines have arrived, the province will roll out a vaccination campaign “like the province has never seen”.
“We are assembling the necessary people, equipment and other resources to we can rapidly stand up a large-scale, ‘super site’ vaccine campaign, as soon as the vaccine is delivered.”
One freezer for vaccine storage has already been installed and four more are on the way.
The province has also bought 20 portable freezers for additional vaccine storage.
