A pilot program is set to be launched in Saskatchewan to provide select schools with COVID-19 self-testing rapid antigen tests for families with students under the age of 12 who are not currently eligible to be vaccinated. The program was announced by the provincial government last week. 

The schools have not been selected yet, but will be chosen in consultation with school divisions and medical health officers based on a number of factors. These factors include vaccine coverage, active case numbers, hospitalizations and school outbreaks. As the program evolves, more schools are like to be added to the program as well. 

The anti-gen testing kits provide results within 15 minutes. The tests help to screen people who may be COVID-19 positive but are asymptomatic. A positive test, however, should also be validated with a PCR test.