The Northwest Territories chief public health officer (CPHO) says recently-approved rapid testing equipment may shorten the territory’s self-isolation period.
This was announced in a press conference on Wednesday, hours after Health Canada approved the Abbott Diagnostics ID Now.
“This is good news, not just for the Northwest Territories but all of Canada,” says Dr. Kami Kandola, CPHO.
Dr. Kandola says the tests will require less lab personnel and according to Abbott’s website can provide results in less than 13 minutes.
As a result, Dr. Kandola says her office will be studying the ID Now tests and looking at how they can be used to shorten the current 14-day isolation period.
However, she added there will be more information on this at a later date.
According to the Canadian Press, the federal government says it has a deal to buy nearly eight million of the tests.
