Albertans met with long wait times, no inventory as free rapid test kits become available
Posted Dec 17, 2021 9:33 am.
Last Updated Dec 17, 2021 9:43 am.
If you managed to get your hands on a rapid test kit on Friday, you may be one of the lucky ones.
Albertans have been waiting for the test kits to be made available to the general public and that was shown in the long lineups seen across the province on Friday morning.
READ MORE:
Free rapid testing kits available to Albertans starting Friday
People showed up at pharmacies city-wide in droves, with some lineups seeing nearly 100 people. But even if you showed up early, there may have not been a test kit waiting for you.
Several Calgarians reporting the pharmacy they chose was still waiting on the arrival of the testing kits themselves and many said they were due to arrive later in the day on Friday.
Meanwhile, some Alberta Health Services (AHS) sites in southern Alberta ran out shortly after 9 a.m.
Due to very high demand, AHS sites in Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Pincher Creek and Coaldale have run out of free COVID-19 rapid test kits. More will be available next week. 1/2
— AHS South Zone (@AHS_SouthZone) December 17, 2021
One woman who spoke with CityNews said she had to wait around 45 minutes to get her hands on a kit, but said it was worth it.
“We’re going to be meeting relatives, and so we just want to make sure we test before we meet them so we’re not spreading any variants or COVID,” said Catherine.
Meanwhile, Mark showed up at a Calgary Shoppers Drug Mart, saw the line and turned around.
“My sister in Edmonton got it no problem, so I just thought I’d stop by here but I don’t feel like waiting two hours for a rapid test,” he said.
