6.47°C Vancouver

Sep 29, 2020 10:26 PM -

Federal government strikes agreement with Abbott to buy 7.9 million rapid-test devices

Share On
federal-government-stikes-agreement-with-abbott-to-buy-7-9-million-rapid-test-devices
People wait in line for hours at a COVID assessment centre at Mount Sinai Hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic in Toronto on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

The federal government has reached an agreement with American company Abbott to buy 7.9 million rapid-test devices once they are approved by Health Canada.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, meanwhile, is pushing back against calls for Ottawa to quickly approve rapid tests for COVID-19, saying the decision is ultimately up to federal scientists.

Canada's chief public health officer Dr. Theresa Tam says rolling out inaccurate COVID-19 tests can lead to further infections if there is a large number of false negatives.

Public Procurement Minister Anita Anand says with the numbers of COVID-19 cases rising, now more than every, each and every one of us must redouble our efforts to stop the spread.

She says testing and tracing are key to keep community spread at a minimum.

Latest news

BCMar 20, 2026

Witness intervenes in Vancouver purse-snatching, suspect charged

A 41-year-old man has been charged after an alleged purse-snatching in Vancouver that left a 59-year-old woman with minor injuries, according to a police release. The incident occurred Wednesday shortly before 4 p.m. near West 8th Avenue and Spruce Street. Police say the woman, who was using a walker, was approached by a man who allegedly grabbed her purse, causing her to fall to the ground. A passing driver witnessed the incident, stopped, and pursued the suspect on foot. During the chase, the suspect allegedly threatened the witness with a knife before dropping the purse and fleeing the area
BCMar 20, 2026

Two men charged after alleged kidnapping in East Vancouver home invasion

Two men are facing kidnapping charges following a reported home invasion in East Vancouver বুধবার night, according to the Vancouver Police Department. Police say a 911 call was received at approximately 9:15 p.m. reporting that a 62-year-old man had been taken from his home and forced into a vehicle. According to a VPD statement, the suspect vehicle was located about 30 minutes later near Slocan Street and East Broadway. Officers attempted to stop the vehicle, but it did not pull over, prompting a police pursuit that ended near East 14th Avenue and Woodland Drive, where officers bo
driver-identified-after-truck-strikes-highway-1-overpass-in-langley-police-seek-witnesses
BCMar 20, 2026

Driver identified after truck strikes Highway 1 overpass in Langley; police seek witnesses

The driver of a commercial truck that struck a railway overpass on Highway 1 in Langley has come forward and is cooperating with investigators, according to BC Highway Patrol. Police say the collision occurred March 19 at about 2:52 p.m., when an eastbound white flatdeck truck carrying a crane boom hit the CP Rail overpass between Glover Road and 232 Street. The driver initially left the scene without speaking to officers but later contacted police. “The truck driver did not wait for police at the scene, which is the ideal, but subsequently reached out to police and is cooperating,” said C
richmond-rcmp-probe-suspected-organized-retail-meat-thefts-after-39-reported-cases
BCMar 20, 2026

Richmond RCMP probe suspected organized retail meat thefts after 39 reported cases

Police in Richmond, British Columbia, say they are investigating a series of meat thefts from retail stores that may be linked to organized criminal activity. According to a statement from the Richmond RCMP, officers have received 39 reports of meat being stolen from stores across the city since December. While some incidents may be opportunistic, police say the frequency and value of the thefts suggest “potential organized activity,” where stolen products could be resold. RCMP are warning the public not to purchase meat from unverified sources. Police say improperly handled or temperature
surrey-police-investigate-early-morning-shooting-near-bear-creek-park
BCMar 20, 2026

Surrey police investigate early morning shooting near Bear Creek Park

Surrey Police Service says officers are investigating a reported shooting near Bear Creek Park that left one man in hospital with a non-life-threatening injury. According to a Surrey Police Service news release, officers were called at about 6:00 a.m. to reports of shots fired in the area of the 13700 block of 88 Avenue. Police searched the park and nearby residential streets following the call. Police said hospital staff contacted officers at 6:30 a.m. to report that a man had arrived at emergency with a gunshot wound. The injury is not believed to be life-threatening, according to the releas

Related News