A pharmacy in East Vancouver is selling rapid coronavirus tests in the wake of soaring cases of the virus spurred by the Omicron variant.
The Pharmasave Mount Pleasant located at 2140 Main Street confirmed with Vancouver Is Awesome Tuesday (Jan. 25) that it is selling COVID-19 rapid tests.
The drugstore is selling Rapid Response COVID-19 Antigen tests manufactured by BTNX Inc. A kit comes with five tests and costs $124.99.
Locals may also order the rapid tests through various companies online, such as through The Canadian Shield or Rapid Test & Trace Canada. The products cost less through these online suppliers.
While the Omicron strain is spreading rapidly in communities across B.C., most people who get tested for COVID-19—a staggering 70 per cent—do not test positive.
Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry told reporters in a press briefing Friday (Jan. 21) morning that most people with mild symptoms do not need to get tested and the majority of individuals who are being tested do not have the virus.
If you have mild symptoms and do not need a COVID-19 test, the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) advises you to stay home until you feel well enough to return to your regular activities.
Close contacts do not need to self-isolate, regardless of vaccination status, but should self-monitor. In fact, everyone should routinely monitor symptoms of COVID-19, whether they are notified of a COVID-19 exposure or not; stay home if you feel unwell.
Richmond-based big box drugstore chain London Drugs told V.I.A. in a previous interview that it expects rapid tests to hit its B.C. shelves this month.
Have a look at this COVID-19 antigen rapid test device video.
