COVID-19 Rapid Test Kits for SMFN Community
St. Mary’s Veterans Memorial Health Centre has acquired rapid antigen testing kits for St. Mary’s First Nation members and their households. These will be available for pickup by members by contacting the Health Centre and are a useful screening tool for COVID-19 detection within the community.
These tests are not a replacement for molecular or PCR testing, and do not suffice for international travel.
If an individual has questions around testing, which test to receive or how to use a rapid test, it is recommended they contact the Health Centre to receive guidance.
Current guidance is anyone who has received two or more doses of an approved vaccine should seek a molecular or PCR test if they exhibit two or more symptoms of COVID-19. Unvaccinated individuals, as well as those with only one dose of vaccine, are recommended to seek a PCR test if they exhibit one or more symptoms.
The Health Centre has a health quantity of these tests available for community use but would still like to ensue the appropriate tests are being used for the appropriate circumstances.