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By Liam Verster
250,000 tests going to child care facilities

Rapid COVID-19 tests going to child care providers, information session goes Wednesday

Jan 26, 2022 | 3:10 PM

Up to 250,000 rapid antigen tests will be distributed to government-funded child care providers throughout B.C.

The tests will be reserved for child care professionals with COVID-19 symptoms in an effort to support health and safety in child care facilities and reduce the risk of transmission.

The take-home tests will be delivered to Ministry of Children and Family Development funded facilities through the mail. Exact dates for when the tests will arrive at the facilities have yet to be determined.

The ministry will hold a virtual information session to provide the public with information on how rapid tests fit into child care centres.

The event will go from 7 to 8:30 p.m. today, Jan. 26. The panel featured in the information session will be comprised of:

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  • Dr. Bonnie Henry, provincial health officer
  • Dr. Reka Gustafson, vice president of public health and wellness for the Provincial Health Services Authority and deputy provincial health officer
  • Dr. Jason Wong, associate medical director for clinical prevention services at the B.C. Centre for Disease Control
  • Dr. Mark Lysyshyn, deputy medical health officer for Vancouver Coastal Health
  • Nader Massoud, child care licensing officer for Vancouver Coastal Health

The event will feature a comprehensive question-and-answer period based on questions submitted by child care providers and parents, with an additional opportunity for viewers to submit questions.

The information session will be held on Zoom, the passcode is 959521.

People can also call into to the meeting at 1-778-907-2071. The webinar ID is 664 1755 782 and the passcode is 959521.

by Liam Verster
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