If your child gets sick, where can they get a COVID test?
The short answer is: They probably can’t – unless they start showing symptoms at school.
The New Westminster school district has a limited supply of swish-and-gargle tests on hand in school offices for use by students. Families whose children develop symptoms while at school can ask their school office about a test to take home.
They’re not rapid tests; the test can be done at home but must then be taken to a lab for processing.
“It does provide another layer of accessibility and convenience for families,” superintendent Karim Hachlaf said during a Q&A session with the New Westminster district parent advisory council earlier this month.
The school district is also awaiting word on a possible supply of rapid antigen tests (RATs) that could be made available through the provincial government.
As of Friday, Jan. 28, secretary-treasurer Bettina Ketcham said the district had received a shipment of tests for teachers and school staff but had not yet heard more about the test supply for students.
“Like others, we are also awaiting information on whether rapid antigen tests will be made available to students through schools, or if access to the tests will continue to be through the same channels as are open to the rest of the community,” she said.
Who can get tested at health authority sites?
As per Fraser Health guidance, testing at B.C. health authority sites is available only to those that meet the eligibility criteria.
Testing is recommended for people who have symptoms associated with COVID-19 infection and meet one of the following criteria:
- people who are moderately to severely immunocompromised
- people 18 years of age and older who are unvaccinated or partially vaccinated
- individuals who live or work in high-risk settings
For students under the age of 18, that means the only group who currently qualifies for testing are those considered moderately to severely immunocompromised – such as those who are receiving treatment for cancer or who are on dialysis. (See BCCDC graphic below for full details.)
Where can I find rapid antigen tests?
The only other option for those wanting testing is to get their hands on a rapid test. RATs can be bought privately, through pharmacies or online – but high demand makes it difficult to find them in stock.
To help fill the gap, some families are choosing to share tests via a Facebook group called B.C. School Rapid Test Swap & Shop, which was set up to put people in need of tests in touch with other families who might have some to spare.
Follow Julie MacLellan on Twitter @juliemaclellan.
Email Julie, [email protected].
