Home-tests for COVID

Tuesday, Health Canada changed its position on the efficacy of home testing for COVID and are now reviewing approval for this option.

Described as “similar to home pregnancy tests” prototypes exist in research labs, but concerns remain high that people may use the test incorrectly or misinterpret the results. Much like a pregnancy test, the home test does not negate the need for medical follow-up.

“In response to the evolution of the pandemic, Health Canada is now considering applications for home testing devices for screening purposes,” said Cole Davidson, spokesperson for the Minister of Health said in a statement.

This is positive news for health experts who have long argued that frequent, accessible testing would provide a positive results in keeping the sick at home and beating the pandemic.

The federal government has also secured deals this week for up to 114 million doses of potential COVID-19 vaccines from Novovax and Johnson & Johnson. The government has hedged its bets for public health by also signing agreements for another 76 million vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna, with a final agreement with Oxford University’s AstraZeneca vaccine pending. Ottawa’s final goal is production of the vaccine in Canada.