Frequent screening with rapid antigen tests increases the chances of early identification of cases in asymptomatic individuals ONLY. Recommended frequency is three per employee, per week.
The Ontario Government has also released guidance for organizations that choose to participate in COVID-19 screening that falls outside of the public health care system, to ensure there is appropriate oversight and consumer protection and that public resources are supporting public health initiatives.
Top 5 Frequently Asked Questions
Who can businesses give screening kits to and who can we screen?
At this time, due to supply concerns, Rapid Screening Kits are ONLY for employees who are working in the workplace. If you have employees working remotely, they do not qualify for screening. You may NOT use these for customers, clients or patients. Employees have the right to refuse to be screened. When an employee agrees to be screened, they are also giving their consent for you to collect and report the results.
What is the accuracy of these screens?
The screening kits are highly accurate - in the range of 90% accurate - however there are circumstances where they may show a false negative, ensuring the swab is used as deep as possible in the nasal cavity and swabbing for at least 5 to 7 seconds will ensure proper collection.
How do we dispose of the waste?
The screen pad and vial (with the swab and buffering agent in) are considered hazardous waste. Some businesses may have the ability to dispose of this material safely. If not, then the Chamber has a disposal bin to appropriately dispose of this waste that can be accessed when refilling your order. Keep your waste in a separate container and bring it when you come to pick up your refill order.
Rapid Antigen Screening is a nasal swab and not invasive. The swab must be inserted into each nostril 2 cm (1 inch) for 5 to 7 seconds, (deeper the better) while ensuring the inside of the nostril is wiped by the swab for that time. Rapid Response kits have an alternate method of swabbing deeper please read those instructions inside each box of 5 kits.
What is the reporting responsibility our business has with respects to the results of the screens?
Each business is responsible to report the results of the kits they use. Batch reporting is recommended. The data required to be reported is: total number of screens completed, total number of positive results, total number of negative results, The reporting form is available online at www.chambercheck.ca.
Can additional Eclipse N95 and Medical Grade Masks be purchased?
Yes, additional masks can be purchased at Hotzone Training Consultants. Click here
Full Frequently Asked Questions
Can I just drop in and pick up kits for refills of my order?
Simple answer is, “NO”, in order to ensure safe distribution and due to the volume of requests, you MUST wait until your confirmed pick-up day and time. You will receive an email from kits@cambridgechamber.com. PLEASE MAKE THIS A SAFE RECIPIENT IN YOUR EMAIL, you will only get one, and if you miss your pick-up day and time, your supply will be given to another business, PLEASE do all you can to pick up when we schedule you in, we cannot guarantee any supply if you miss a pick up and you will need to email in to set up a new pick up time. This is for safety and to ensure we have staff available to serve you.
If an employee has a positive or inconclusive result, what is the next step?
Anyone who receives a result of positive result MUST immediately self-isolate for 5 days if fully vaccinated and having no symptoms, OR until symptoms subside. Unvaccinated MUST isolate for a minimum of 10 days and if symptoms still persist, they must remain isolated until symptoms disappear.
Are we required to report all presumptive positives and Inconclusive to the Local Public Health authority?
At this time, NO, however that may change, please follow public health guidelines.
Who can perform the screen on the employees?
Employees must do their own screenings; no one should perform a screening on anyone else. It is beneficial for new users, to have someone supervise their first test to ensure they are performing proper collection procedures. You may share the training video with staff.
What is the frequency we should be screening our employees?
The province is supplying businesses with enough kits to screen employees 3 times per week only. You may also choose to only test symptomatic employees or unvaccinated employees. However more frequent testing than 2 times per week, will require you to purchase your own additional kits from a retail supplier. We do not sell rapid kits.
Do these kits have an expiry date?
The screening kits do expire. However, in most cases this gets pushed out as the expiry is due to the evaporation of the buffering agent, if you have buffering agent, the tests will work fine.
Do we only screen employees who are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms?
It is now recommended by public health to use Rapid Antigen Tests to validate an infection of COVID-19.
I am a consultant that works with clients on workplace safety. Can I order screening kits on behalf of my clients and screen their employees?
No. These screening kits are provided free of charge to small and medium sized businesses for their sole purpose. A designated employee must be assigned the responsibility of taking the supervisor training, ensuring proper screening processes are adhered to and reporting the results of the screening kits on behalf of the employer. While there are avenues available for third party vendors to purchase their own kits outside of this program to provide screening services, the Chamber’s program is intended to remain complimentary and direct to employer only.
Can I purchase extra kits so I can screen those I want to? If so, how much do the screening kits cost?
No. The screening kits are not for sale and we are not authorized to charge anyone for these kits. When ordering kits you will be required to agree to our terms and conditions stipulating that you can not sell or distribute these screening kits.
The value of the box of 25 kits is approximately $200 based on known retail information. The screening kits are expensive, and we are able to offer the kits at no cost to businesses because they are funded by the Federal and Provincial Governments.
I am a volunteer/employee for an organization we have a number of volunteers that would like to meet regularly in-person. Can these kits be used for that purpose?NO, NO, NO. These screening kits are provided free of charge to small and medium sized businesses for their sole purpose. This program was never designed to support a business opportunity and we will be screening those out from receiving kits. If a consultant would like to test a third party and charge for this service, there are retail sellers online in the Region of Waterloo that can sell these same kits. We will be reporting any incident of profiteering from the resale or use of these kits for business purposes.
Can I purchase extra kits so I can screen those I want to? If so, how much do the screening kits cost?
No, sorry we cannot and will not sell these kits. They are funded by the government, by now, everyone knows the retail cost is between 9 and 15 dollars per test. You can buy them online from local retailers, but you cannot buy them from the Chamber.
I am a volunteer/employee for an organization we have a number of volunteers that would like to meet regularly in-person. Can these kits be used for that purpose?
These are to be used for employees OR volunteers to perform a working task for the organization. Not for meetings and short visits etc.
Some of our employees are required to travel for business. Can these screening kits validate them for travel?
No, you must have valid testing from a Pharmacy or other network that supports the government guidelines for travel testing.
I noticed there are two packages marked “Control Swabs” in each box of screening kits. What do we use them for?
DO NOT SWAB ANYONE WITH THESE CONTROL SWABS; Some kits have control swabs for quality control, these generally should not be used. If you do use them, you do not swab anyone’s nose with them, they are pre-loaded positive and negative to validate the response of the test pad.
We have run out of the liquid, where can we get more?
Unfortunately, you are out of luck. The liquid is in fact a toxic agent and cannot be transported in bulk. Refills, extras are simply not available, please care for the supply to ensure you can use the program effectively.