Health Canada has quickly approved the use of Abbott Rapid Diagnostics COVID-19 tests in Canada.
This comes just 24 hours after the federal government signed an agreement for up to 7.9 million of the tests.
Health Minister Patty Hajdu says this testing will be used in very specific settings, “They may be useful for example in long term care settings where there needs to be deeper screening. They may be used in rural and remote communities. That will really be at the determination of the provinces who have access to the technology.”
Hajdu says the government will soon issue a new testing and strategy, “We’ll have very shortly a new national testing and screening strategy with updated information and guidance for all of the provinces and territories. Then the provinces and territories can use that to develop a strategy that works best for them in their jurisdiction.”
Hajdu says Canadians can anticipate even more testing approvals as the regulators get the information they need from the manufacturers.
“As provinces evolve their testing strategies to be in line with provincial testing guidance, that has been agreed upon by all Chief medical Offices of Health, we’re going to start seeing a more efficient used of testing for the right purposes,” Hajdu says.
The new Abbott Rapid Diagnostics COVID-19 tests are a nasal swab-based test will provide results in about 15 minutes.
