Quebec expanding rapid COVID-19 testing in elementary school to 10 regions
Quebec says the rollout of rapid tests for COVID-19 in elementary schools will now extend to 10 regions.
The Ministry of Health said it wants to prevent outbreaks and minimize classroom closures with the tests, which provide a result within 15 minutes.
Preschool and elementary schools will begin administering the rapid tests by the end of September, "when they are ready, once the training is completed," the government said, noting that meetings with many stakeholders have already taken place.
The rollout will reach nearly 1,600 schools and will continue in all Quebec elementary schools "within the next few weeks," the Ministry of Health said late Friday afternoon in a press release.
Daniel Paré, director of the Quebec vaccination campaign, was given the mandate to coordinate this vast deployment operation.
The 10 regions targeted are those where the risk of an outbreak is greatest due to the epidemiological situation:
- Mauricie
- Centre-du-Québec
- Eastern Townships
- Montreal
- Outaouais
- Chaudière-Appalaches: Beauce-Sartigan, Appalaches and Etchemins
- Laval
- Lanaudière
- Laurentians
- Montérégie.
The tests will be used for students who develop COVID-19 symptoms during the day and priority will be given in high-transmission areas.
Parents will be asked for permission for the testing by completing a consent form provided by the school. Without such consent, no testing can be done.
In the case of a positive test, the student will be isolated and the parent will be contacted by phone so that he or she can pick up the child, the ministry said. The child will have to take a second test at a testing center.
More than 155,000 tests have been distributed to the network. More tests will eventually be delivered to meet the needs of schools without delay, it said.
-- This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Sept. 17, 2021.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
opinion I've been a criminal attorney for decades. Here's what I think about the case against Trump
Joey Jackson, a criminal defence attorney and a legal analyst for CNN, outlines what he thinks about the criminal case against Donald Trump in the 'hush money trial.'
$3.8M home in B.C.'s Okanagan has steel shell for extra wildfire protection
A home in B.C.'s Okanagan that features a weathering steel shell designed to provide some protection against wildfires has been listed for sale at $3.8 million.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Mystery surrounds giant custom Canucks jerseys worn by Lions Gate Bridge statues
The giant stone statues guarding the Lions Gate Bridge have been dressed in custom Vancouver Canucks jerseys as the NHL playoffs get underway.
Celebrity designer sentenced to 18 months in prison for smuggling crocodile handbags
A leading fashion designer whose accessories were used by celebrities from Britney Spears to the cast of the 'Sex and the City' TV series was sentenced Monday to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty in Miami federal court on charges of smuggling crocodile handbags from her native Colombia.
Wildfire leads to evacuation order issued for northeast Alberta community
An evacuation order was issued on Monday afternoon for homes in the area of Cold Lake First Nation.