Quebecers will be able to receive five rapid tests per 30-day period in pharmacies, depending on available stocks, starting Monday. To slow the progression of COVID-19, the Minister of Health, Christian Dubé, asks employers to promote teleworking immediately and until further notice.
To reduce the wait at its screening center at Hôtel-Dieu, the CIUSSS du Center-Sud-de-l’Île-de-Montréal is deploying a new strategy: rapid tests are given to people in line at outside. If people test negative, they go home and watch their symptoms. If they are positive, a PCR test is performed inside.
“It is a formula being tested today”, says Jean-Nicolas Aubé, spokesperson for the CIUSSS. If the experiment proves conclusive, it could be implemented in the eight other sites of the health establishment.
The number of visitors is increasing at the Hôtel-Dieu. On Monday, 1,600 people were tested there.
The Minister of Health and Social Services, Christian Dubé, holds a press briefing at 1 p.m. in the company of the National Director of Public Health, Dr Horacio Arruda, as well as the director general of the executive and operational management of the pandemic, Daniel Paré. The issue of rapid screening tests will be addressed.
More details to come …
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