May 19, 2021
Province Provides Rapid Testing to More Businesses and Community Partners
– – –Onboarding More Workplaces to Provide COVID-19 Screening Helps Keep Manitobans Safe: Stefanson
Manitoba has expanded its Asymptomatic Rapid Testing Screening Program to more than 35 businesses and community partners, helping to deploy over 200,000 rapid tests for use in health-care and community settings across the province, Health and Seniors Care Minister Heather Stefanson announced today.
“Providing COVID-19 screening to more Manitoba workplaces expands our ability to identify asymptomatic cases that would otherwise go undetected,” said Stefanson. “Using rapid tests in this targeted way helps protect Manitobans by limiting the spread of COVID-19 in our community through early detection, and we are happy to be onboarding more partners daily.”
The Asymptomatic Rapid Testing Screening Program provides antigen-based rapid tests to businesses and critical service providers in non-health-care settings who can self-administer a sustainable asymptomatic screening program.
The minister noted this is in addition to the targeted rapid testing already occurring for screening or diagnostic purposes at Fast Pass sites, select personal care homes, in support of northern and rural populations, and within the province’s broader health system.
“Participating in this rapid testing program not only helps keep our employees safe but helps keep their families safe and Manitobans safe. It is another tool to help stop the spread of COVID-19, which will benefit all of us,” said Wade Miller, president and CEO, Winnipeg Football Club.
The province provides participating organizations with a supply of rapid tests, along with training and other resources to support launch of their workplace program. The majority of sites are using nasal swabs, which can be administered by non-health-care professionals. Both self-testing and in-work testing program administration models are available. Red River College is supporting the program by offering participants a two-hour virtual training module on nasal swabbing and the rapid test.
“Since launching the program in April, I am pleased to see the number of new businesses coming on board to provide rapid testing to their employees. These partnerships, along with vaccine, play an important role in limiting COVID-19 in our communities,” said Stefanson.
For more information on Manitoba’s rapid testing strategy, visit www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/testing/rapid-testing.html.
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BACKGROUND INFORMATION ATTACHED
Backgrounder
Background Information - https://www.gov.mb.ca/asset_library/en/newslinks/2021/05/BG-Rapid_Testing_Screening_Strategy-HSC.pdf