Federal Government No Longer Shipping Rapid Antigen Tests

Thursday, 2 March 2023 13:39

By Linda Morgan

Officials say millions of tests about to expire remain in federal inventory

The federal government has stopped shipping rapid COVID-19 tests to provinces.

Millions are set to expire within a year, and experts say the test has lost its importance in the pandemic.

Health Canada notes about 90 million tests are in the federal inventory.

Over 6 million will expire within a year, and the rest within two years.

Officials also say having large stockpiles of rapid antigen tests may not be useful if the virus shifts and becomes less detectable on the devices.

More from Local News

Cause of St. Catharines Standard building fire "undetermined"

With damage too extensive for an investigation, cause of fire officially declared "undetermined"
Welland adopts 2026 Budget with 4.01% increase

The city of Welland officially adopted their 2026 budget with a 4.01% tax levy increase. This equates to an approx. $78 increase for the average homeowner.
Port Colborne Man Charged with Child Luring

Police have released the Snapchat names they say he used earlier this year
Social Assistance Recipients Receiving Help

The City of Niagara Falls working on pilot program
Man Faces Multiple Impaired Driving Charges

This is in relation to a 3-vehicle crash in Wainfleet back in September
Police Looking for Stolen Wine

They say a suspect broke in using an ATV
Airport Working to End Sexual Exploitation

RCMP and Crimestoppers are also partners
Ontario Student Learning Under Review

Student standard testing results improving