there is debate on when and how rapid tests are best employed. ontario’s chief medical officer of health dr. kieran moore has said programs could be rolled out in areas of the province where community rates of the virus are high, or in schools with outbreaks.
but it would be difficult and of limited benefit for ontario to give frequent rapid tests to two million elementary and secondary students, moore said, also citing the cost and burden on parents.
some epidemiologists and doctors support expansion of rapid testing at schools as the province battles the fourth wave of the pandemic.
dr. irfan dhalla, the co-chair of a federal expert advisory panel on covid-19 testing and screening, has said that rapid testing for asymptomatic children is needed, along with fast, easy access to laboratory-based testing for those with symptoms.
“we are subsidizing, encouraging and supporting rapid antigen screening at businesses, where all staff can be vaccinated,” dhalla, a vice-president and general internist at unity health in toronto, posted on social media. “but not at schools, even though kids under 12 cannot be vaccinated yet.”
hopewell parent regina bateson noted that covid-19 cases are on the rise in ottawa schools. “the thing we are concerned end about is stopping outbreaks before they start,” she said.