Covid-19 rapid antigen tests are being distributed free in a variety of locations across the province.

Doctor William Libich from the Northern Health Region has commented on the rapid antigen tests and how to use them properly. He reports the very best advice is to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines on the test kit. He says there have been some media reports about other jurisdictions that are using the test kits in off label ways instead of swabbing the nose some people are swabbing the cheeks and the throat and perhaps then the nose.  He notes in order to do that, that technique has to be validated and it hasn’t been validated in Manitoba so our provincial laboratory officials are saying not to use off label techniques in order to diagnose Covid using rapid antigen tests.                                                 

For more information about Covid-19 rapid antigen tests and for tips on how to continue to stay safe from Covid-19 visit www.manitoba.ca/covid19/testing.