Rapid test kits running out at LCBO outlets in Oshawa, Bowmanville

Rapid antigen test kits, now available at select LCBO stores (as well as pop-up locations) have already sold out at six liquor stores in Ontario – with half of those in Durham Region.

LCBO outlets at Stevenson and Gibb and at Harmony and Taunton in Oshawa and at Highway 2 and Waverly Road in Bowmanville have already exhausted their supply of the kits, as have two locations in North York and one in Waterloo.

Current rapid test kit update.
The following stores are now out of stock:
Bowmanville Hwy 2 & Waverly Rd
Waterloo King S & William (Waterloo Town Sq)
Oshawa Gibb & Stevenson
Oshawa Harmony & Taunton
Toronto-North York Keele & Lawrence
Toronto-North York Wilson & Dufferin

— LCBO (@LCBO) December 17, 2021

Individuals can use the rapid antigen tests – which are being provided by the provincial government – to swab inside their nostril in order to detect proteins of the virus in the body. It can take 15 to 20 minutes to get the results, though health officials warn the results are not the equivalent of a proper PCR test and shouldn’t be used as a diagnosis for the COVID-19 virus.

The free test kits can only be picked up by people who do not have COVID-19 symptoms or who have not recently been in contact with a COVID-19 case, with just one kit per person being given out.

The kits contain five swabs inside as well as vials of reagent that are used to complete the test and are often used in asymptomatic cases for screening purposes.