Rapid Antigen Screening Kits
**NOTE: If this is your first time ordering kits, please follow Steps 1-6. To place subsequent orders, please go to Step 5.
The Ontario Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, Ontario and Canadian governments, has launched the COVID-19 Rapid Screening Initiative. Businesses (including non-chamber members) with 150 employees or less can access free screening kits as an additional tool to help keep workplaces safe.
The Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce and Kawartha Chamber of Commerce and Tourism have partnered with MPP Dave Smith to provide these kits to businesses in the City and County of Peterborough.
The latest information from Health Canada suggests that up to 1/3 of people carrying the virus are asymptomatic! Over 50% of known cases were transmitted by an asymptomatic carrier. This makes it incredibly important to find asymptomatic carriers in order to combat the spread and get to a more normalized community life.
A Covid-19 rapid screening test can be performed anywhere (i.e. at your workplace!) and does not require shipping a specimen to a lab for processing. It takes less than 10 minutes to see the results. Frequent testing increases the chances of early identification of cases.
How the program works
- FREE for all businesses in Peterborough City and County with less than 150 employees
- Select a representative from your company to be the “Screening Supervisor” responsible for the program
- Order a two-week supply of kits
- Pick up the kits (by appointment only) at 1123 Water Street, Unit 4 (see below)
- Employees administer the test themselves, with a gentle nasal swab, under the guidance of their Screening Supervisor
- Get results in less than 15 minutes
- Those who test positive or inconclusive must contact Peterborough Public Health for a lab-based PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test
- The Screening Supervisor reports the total number of tests completed, number of positive tests, number of negative tests, etc.
- Reorder your kits on our website as needed
STEP 1 of 6: Designate a Screening Supervisor
Each company should assign a Designated Screening Supervisor, who will be the contact person. This is the person that must complete the training, order, pick up the kits, complete all reporting, and drop off their used kits.
Each company should assign a Designated Screening Supervisor, who will be the contact person. This is the person that must complete the training, order, pick up the kits, complete all reporting, and drop off their used kits.
STEP 2 of 6: Have the Screening Supervisor Watch the Training Video (one time only, prior to first order)
The following training video must be viewed in its entirety by the Designated Screening Supervisor and we strongly recommend that it be shared with all employees who may be taking part in the screening process.
The following training video must be viewed in its entirety by the Designated Screening Supervisor and we strongly recommend that it be shared with all employees who may be taking part in the screening process.
STEP 3 of 6: Have the Screening Supervisor Acknowledge That They Have Watched the Training Video
We require confirmation that the Designated Screening Supervisor has viewed the above video in its entirety. After viewing the video, please send your confirmation by completing the form below.
We require confirmation that the Designated Screening Supervisor has viewed the above video in its entirety. After viewing the video, please send your confirmation by completing the form below.
STEP 4 of 6: Determine Process of Administering Tests
Determine the process of administering tests in your business (Centralized or De-centralized). Learn more HERE.
Determine the process of administering tests in your business (Centralized or De-centralized). Learn more HERE.
STEP 5 of 6: Order Your Kits
The Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce has partnered with StaySafe™ to manage the registration, ordering, and scheduled pickups of its Rapid Antigen Screening Kits.
When you first register, you will be asked to review TERMS AND CONDITIONS. Please take the time to review carefully.
You will be allowed to order a two-week supply based on the number of employees in your business.
You will be prompted to select a pick-up time. The Chamber has partnered with MPP Dave Smith's office who has set up a pick-up location at 1123 Water Street, Unit 4 (next to his Constituency Office at Water and Marina, just south of the Zoo). For questions about ordering or picking up your kits, please call MPP Smith's office at 705-742-3777.
When you arrive at 1123 Water Street at your scheduled pick-up time, please come to the front door. Please ensure that you are wearing a mask, and do not come if you are not feeling well. Staff will confirm your order for your business and and that you have submitted your confirmation of having taken the required training, as above.
When picking up your testing kits, you will be provided with a hazardous waste collection bag. Please ensure that you store your test kit collection waste safely. Collection materials should be returned for safe and proper disposal at your next scheduled test kit pickup.**
When picking up your testing kits, you will be provided with a hazardous waste collection bag. Please ensure that you store your test kit collection waste safely. Collection materials should be returned for safe and proper disposal at your next scheduled test kit pickup.**
Map of Pick-up Location at 1123 Water Street, Unit 4 (corner of Water and Marina, just south of the Zoo)
Step 6 of 6: Reporting Results
On a weekly basis, you must report the number of tests administered, number of positives, and number of negative results at the StaySafe™ portal HERE. These results will be shared with Health Canada and the Ontario Ministry of Health.
Note: When re-ordering, you will be required to report results for 75% of your kits, prior to a refill order being arranged.
On a weekly basis, you must report the number of tests administered, number of positives, and number of negative results at the StaySafe™ portal HERE. These results will be shared with Health Canada and the Ontario Ministry of Health.
Note: When re-ordering, you will be required to report results for 75% of your kits, prior to a refill order being arranged.
Those who test positive or inconclusive must book a lab-based PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test as soon as possible, and no later than 48 hours after the rapid test was collected. Details about testing in Peterborough can be found here. The worker should be provided with the “Handout for Employees: What to do if you have a positive COVID-19 rapid antigen test”, which can be found on page 8 of Ministry of Health’s COVID-19 Guidance: Considerations for Antigen Point-of-Care Testing.
Businesses participating in the Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce Rapid Antigen Screening Kit program should also consider reporting positive OR negative test results to Peterborough Public Health through their voluntary reporting system.
Peterborough Public Health can consult with the workplace on COVID-19 prevention measures, and will provide direction if/as needed for impacted staff.
If you provide your contact information (in the voluntary reporting system), we may follow up on positive results if capacity allows us to do so. All personal information will be kept confidential.
For general guidance on isolation, testing, and identifying high risk contacts, please visit Peterborough Public Health’s website for COVID-19 Case and Contact Guidance or Ontario’s website www.ontario.ca/exposed.
Peterborough Public Health can consult with the workplace on COVID-19 prevention measures, and will provide direction if/as needed for impacted staff.
If you provide your contact information (in the voluntary reporting system), we may follow up on positive results if capacity allows us to do so. All personal information will be kept confidential.
For general guidance on isolation, testing, and identifying high risk contacts, please visit Peterborough Public Health’s website for COVID-19 Case and Contact Guidance or Ontario’s website www.ontario.ca/exposed.
Questions?
For more information on rapid antigen screening kits, including guidance for setting up a workplace screening program and a list of Frequently Asked Questions, please review Communitech’s StaySafe at Work guide.
For questions about ordering or picking up your kits, please call MPP Dave Smith's office at 705-742-3777.
For more information on rapid antigen screening kits, including guidance for setting up a workplace screening program and a list of Frequently Asked Questions, please review Communitech’s StaySafe at Work guide.
For questions about ordering or picking up your kits, please call MPP Dave Smith's office at 705-742-3777.
DISCLAIMER: These kits are not for anyone showing symptoms related to COVID-19. Employees must immediately leave the workplace and arrange a PCR test with Peterborough Public Health if they are exhibiting symptoms, or if they receive a positive test or inconclusive result through the Workplace Self Screening Kit. They must also work with Peterborough Public Health to determine when it is safe for them to return to work. Screening kits are an added measure but all other PPE and distancing protocols must continue to be followed regardless of screening. Businesses participating in the Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce Rapid Antigen Screening Kit program who return any positive results must 1) report all positive test results using the reporting link above, and 2) report positive results to Peterborough Public Health. Note: The Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce does not receive or have access to any results reported by participating businesses.
