British Columbians over age 60 can pick up free rapid antigen test kits from pharmacies beginning Monday.
The move, announced by the province Friday, expands a program currently reserved for those over 70.
“Eligible individuals can pick up one kit containing five tests every 28 days from participating pharmacies at no cost,” the Health Ministry said. “Individuals must present their personal health number when picking up the kit or, if others are picking up kits on their behalf, in addition to the individual’s name and personal health number, date of birth must also be supplied.”
People are supposed to pick up the kits when they are asymptomatic, so they’re available if they develop symptoms.
As of March 3, the ministry had shipped 3.9 million tests to pharmacy distributors. Almost half of those had been shipped to community pharmacies throughout B.C., with up to 583,000 rapid tests dispensed through more than 1,000 participating pharmacies.
B.C. expects to get another nine million tests from the federal government, which the ministry said will “support the province’s strategy to further distribute tests to members of the broader community.”
Provincial health officials reported eight more deaths due to COVID-19 on Friday, including four in the Island Health region. A total of 2,903 people with COVID-19 have died in B.C. since the start of the pandemic.
The Health Ministry on Friday said 484 people were in hospital with COVID-19 while 69 were in intensive care. The number was down from Thursday, when 511 people were being treated in hospital and 79 were in intensive care.
B.C. reported 340 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Friday, for a total of 349,944 infections since the pandemic began. Sixty-five new confirmed cases were reported in Island Health.
Officials say 90.8 per cent of those eligible 12 and older have received their second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine while 58 per cent have had their third dose.
— With a file from The Canadian Press
