Albertans will soon have access to fast and convenient COVID-19 testing kits through a partnership between Alberta Health Services and Canadian technology company Spartan Bioscience Inc.
On Monday, AHS announced the partnership in a press release. Spartan Bioscience is in the late stages of developing a handheld, rapid testing device for COVID-19.
The new device can confirm test results for the virus in less than one hour.
The technology is expected to help AHS provide additional, more expedient testing for COVID-19 in rural and remote communities, such as Indigenous communities, by eliminating the need for samples to go to the nearest lab, which can be a logistical challenge.
As part of the $9.5-million contract, AHS will receive 250 handheld devices, along with 100,000 testing kits, to be distributed to health care facilities outside Calgary and Edmonton. The first shipment of devices and testing kits arrives next month.
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Health Canada is expected to approve the use of the rapid test kits within a few weeks. AHS will validate test protocols and accuracy before the new technology is deployed, but has acted quickly to ensure the test kits are available in the province once approval is received.
“Alberta has been one of the fastest jurisdictions in the world for testing of COVID-19. However, the threat to the health of all Albertans remains. We have recognized a gap in our testing and I am pleased AHS is working swiftly with industry to find ways to ensure rapid testing for the virus is accessible for people in rural and remote communities,” Alberta Health Minister Tyler Shandro stated in the release.
“This investment will ensure we can maintain our rapid pace in testing and alleviate pressures on our front-line workers with quick result confirmations.”
The technology will be used in addition to AHS’ current lab testing and will be augmented in areas where access to major labs can be an issue.
“COVID-19 places significantly increased demand on our lab capacity,” AHS president and CEO Dr. Verna Yi stated in the release.
“This new technology will supplement our current testing efforts and give AHS the ability to provide timely testing and results to more Albertans in more communities. This will help guide appropriate care and isolation, speed up our contact tracing, and reduce the risk of further spread.”
Spartan Bioscience specializes in DNA detection technology.
