Rapid COVID-19 test kits yet to be distributed in northern Sask.

Rapid testing kits for COVID-19 have yet to be distributed to the public in northern Saskatchewan.

Earlier this week, the Ministry of Health released a list of 37 locations across the province where residents could receive the self-testing kits to take home. No communities in northern Saskatchewan were included on the list, but the provincial government handed out more than 1.3 million kits to different organization such as various chambers of commerce in Prince Albert, Melfort, Nipawin, Meadow Lake and North Battleford.

In an email to larongeNOW, the Ministry of Health confirmed approximately 364,000 rapid tests are being provided to Indigenous Services Canada and the Northern Inter-Tribal Health Authority (NITHA) for distribution in the North.

“We are working with ISC and First Nations communities to ensure that they are able to receive large quantities of tests,” the email stated. “New distribution locations will continue to be added to the website as partner organizations receive tests for further distribution.”