What does a COVID positive rapid test look like? It takes 15 minutes to find out!

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What does a COVID positive rapid test look like?

Pink blotting disappears after 15 minutes: The rapid test takes a full 15 minutes for the pink blotting to disappear. In the photo, below, the top test is COVID positive (red arrow). This test was left, prematurely, by a visitor who then entered resident space.
Positive line is quite faint: The faint positive line doesn’t usually appear until the pink blotting disappears. The test on the bottom has not finished its 15 minutes as there is still pink blotting.
Why wait full 15 minutes? After dropping the drops on the test, it does take 15 minutes to see the pink blotting disappear. The key to protecting our residents is to wait the full duration of the test to catch the positive test.
A moment in time: A rapid test does not provide a definitive answer as to whether or not an individual is COVID positive. Rather, it provides an answer to whether or not they are COVID positive at the time of the test. The result is dependent on the viral load within that individual at the time of testing.
For example – a resident was with relatives overnight. Upon returning, they took a rapid test and the test was negative. The next day, they were informed that a relative was COVID positive during their visit. They took another rapid test (24 hours after the first one) and found that they, too, are COVID positive.
Rapid tests are working to provide safety: Rapid tests are detecting COVID positive visitors and staff each day on our campus. The results don’t “last” for days and must be done again each time there will be contact with a resident.
How to implement in Independent Living? For those who are providing support for residents in Independent Living, we will need to find a workable system to ensure tests are available for you to do in order to add this layer of safety to their lives.
Would you take a supply and do them prior to arriving? One idea is to provide you with a supply of rapid tests that you can do at home prior to arriving to visit your loved one.
Other ideas? We are open to ideas that will help us to implement this layer of protection without diminishing the support that residents receive from their essential visitors.
Omicron could be very different… We are aware that once Omicron enters our apartment buildings, it will be challenging to stop the spread as it is the most transmissible of all the variants.
THANK YOU! Thank you for your ideas and your faithful care for your loved one(s) in this challenging time.
Provide any feedback to connect@mennoplace.ca

Add 15 minutes BEFORE your visit – Point-of-Care Rapid Testing is Now Mandatory for all Visitors to LTC and AL

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Effective immediately:
A rapid test with a negative result is required to enter Menno Home, Menno Hospital or Terrace East.
This is by order of the Public Health Officer.

Visiting Hours:
The COVID rapid test will be provided by the Visitation Host between 10am and 6pm. Phone the nurse to arrange a visit outside of these hours for essential visitors.

In order to enter, you must show proof of vaccination, government issued ID card and a negative rapid test result.

Please watch these two short videos on how to perform a Rapid Point-of-Care test:
CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO

From the Ministry of Health:
In recognition of the increased transmissibility of the Omicron variant of concern and given the vulnerability of the Omicron variant of concern and given the vulnerability of residents in long-term care and assisted living, even when fully vaccinated themselves, individuals visiting long-term care homes (both essential and social visitors) must be screened for COVID-19 by receiving a rapid point-of-care (POC) test prior to their visit.

Rapid POC tests provide the opportunity to rapidly screen people for COVID-19, with results ready in approximately 20 minutes. These tests can help reduce the potential for introduction and spread of COVID-19 in long-term care. The rapid POC screening requirement for all visitors is in addition to the current requirements for visitors to be fully vaccinated and to adhere to infection prevention and control measures.

Visitors who receive a positive rapid POC test result, choose not to receive a rapid POC test, or who do not demonstrate that they are fully vaccinated will not be able to enter the long-term care or assisted living building, including passing through the facility to access an outdoor space.

There are no exceptions to the rapid POC screening requirement based on medical exemption from vaccination, essential or social visitor status, including compassionate visits related to end-of-life. The rapid POC screening requirement in long-term care excludes children under age 12.

  • Visitors who receive a negative test result, provide proof of full vaccination, and are compliant with masking requirements and other infection control practices will be able to enter a facility.
  • Visitors who are screened as having symptoms or who receive a positive test result will not be able to enter a facility. They are required to self-isolate and seek further direction from public health. Their test result must be reported to Public Health.
  • Individuals who receive an inconclusive test result will be required to undergo another rapid POC test.
  • There are no exceptions to the rapid POC screening requirement based on medical exemption from vaccination, essential or social visitor status, including compassionate visits related to end-of-life. Rapid POC screening in long-term care and assisted living excludes children under age 12.

We thank you for all your hard work in keeping yourself safe, and in caring for your loved one in a time that is stressful and ever-changing.

Sharon Simpson
Director, Community Enrichment

HOW DO YOU DO A RAPID TEST?

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Learn how to do a rapid test – visitors are asked to rapid test before visiting in Assisted Living and Long Term Care. Rapid tests are available for visitors in Independent Living through Reception.

Read more