Demand accelerates for rapid tests in Sask. as Omicron threatens the holiday season

Saskatchewan people are scooping up rapid antigen test kits in droves, just as the holiday season kicks into high gear.

The government has put out 1.5 million rapid tests for distribution across the province.Libraries play a key role in handing out the kits and in Saskatoonpeople aren't hesitating to check the items out.

"We're just trying to keep up to the demand as much as possible," said Amanda Lepage,senior manager of welcoming initiatives at Saskatoon Public Library.

About 2,220 kits were distributed in the one weekwhen they began handing out kits at the end of November, Lepage said.Last week, the nine librarybranches handed out more than 9,600 kits.

Kit distribution

On Tuesday, the Cliff Wrightbranchalone gave out 759 kits. On Wednesday, the Alice Turner Branch gave out 40within 10 minutes of opening.

Lepage said the people picking up the tests want to feelsafer gathering this holiday season.

"We ordered seven more pallets of kits that will hopefully last us till the end of the year," she said, explaining that one pallet holdseight boxes and each boxcontains108 kits and each individual kit contains five tests.

Sask. residents encouraged to rapid test

Saskatchewan is relying on its robust rapid test distribution as the Omicron variant makes its own rapid move across Canada. The variant is considered unpredictable,highly transmissible and is expected to become thedominant strain.

British Columbia, Ontario and Newfoundland and Labradorhave introducedrestrictions. But Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe has chosen not to limit holiday gathering or event capacity, despite modelling released Tuesdaythat predicts a huge spike in Omicron coronavirus variant cases in the province if no additional restrictions are implemented.

Dr. Saqib Shahab, Saskatchewan's chief medical health officer,said it is important to do a rapid test before and after going to another person's home or to an event. He also said people shoulduse their best masks, reduce their contacts and stay home if sick. In addition, officials areencouraginganyone who can get a vaccine booster to do so.

The rapid test kits are available at more than 150 locations across the province such as local municipal offices, fire halls, hotels, 41 different Co-ops locations and chambers of commerce.

Saskatoon's chamberwas distributing kits "almost every 3-5 minutes" on Wednesday morning.

"We've placed an order for an additional couple of thousand here just to make sure that we can serve anyone who's interested in grabbing a kit before the holidays start," said Jason Aebig, who is CEO for the Greater Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce.

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The demand has been steady and Aebig estimates they've handed out up to 8,000.Aebig said the kits have gone tosmall businesses andcommunity members alike. There's a limit of one kit per household, but no criteria for who can access a kit.

"It's great to see because these kits are free of charge, to the extent that we've already all paid for them," he said. "So why not use a tool that can provide an added layer of protection and confidence whenever you're thinking about gathering?"

The TCU place in Saskatoon has also seen a steady demand for the tests, handingout more than 6,000 kits, according to CEO Tammy Sweeney.

"I think it is absolutely essential that we do whatever we can to help our community," Sweeney said."This is just one additional step to say:'Hey, am I safe to go out tonight or after the event? Am I still safe? And what can I do to keep the people around me safe?'"

Rapid test locations throughout Saskatchewan (and test availability) can be viewed online.