Doctor Bonnie Henry warns against at-home COVID-19 tests

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VICTORIA (NEWS 1130) – If you’re thinking about buying a COVID-19 testing kit online for home use, B.C’s top doctor is warning against the move.

Dr. Bonnie Henry addressed questions around take at home tests during Wednesday’s daily update on B.C’s response to the pandemic.

She says the tests are unreliable, and often have false results.

“There’s none right now that are good enough to be used in our community,” she says. “There was a huge number bought by one of the states in the U.S. that turned out to be so unreliable they ended up getting rid of them all. Right now there is no at-home test that is reliable.”

She adds those kits can be dangerous because they can have false positive or negative results.

Other concerns include difficulties facing truck drivers.

Drivers who normally stop at roadside diners for a quick bite to eat or to go to the bathroom, no longer are able to do that as many businesses are closed.

Henry says she’s grateful some businesses are open exclusively for people with limited options.

“These facilities can be open to people. Restaurants may be closed but there is the ability to have takeout,” she says. “To ensure there are cleaning products available, people are able to effectively clean their environment and maintain their personal hygiene.”

She adds that’s also been a challenge for homeless people.

Henry was also asked why doctors trained in other countries are not being allowed to help out even if they’re not licensed to work in B.C.

“A time of crisis is not the time we want to modify requirements people need to have to ensure they can practice in a safe way in this province,” she said.

She says the BC College of Physicians and Surgeons is in charge of certifying doctors to work here, but efforts are being made to give medical students, residents and international medical graduates a chance to help where they’re needed.

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