Canada ends supply of rapid COVID-19 tests as millions soon expire

Provinces will no longer receive rapid COVID-19 antigen tests from the Canadian government as millions will expire within the year.

Health Canada says there are 90 million rapid tests in the federal inventory, with nearly 80,000 of those set to expire within six months and 6.5 million within the year. The others will expire within two years.

Ottawa has ordered over 811 million rapid tests since the start of the pandemic, costing about $5 billion. Approximately 680 million of those went to provinces and territories.

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As a fourth wave of the pandemic overwhelmed hospitals across the country, provinces attempted to get as many rapid antigen tests as possible.

Hospitals were at maximum capacity in many provinces and the rapid tests became a significant tool for the response.

The agency says the decision to end shipments at the end of January was made in collaboration with provinces and territories because the regions have enough supply.

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