N.B. Lung Association increasing access to COVID-19 testing for immunocompromised

The New Brunswick Lung Association has found a new location for their test kit initiative which provides COVID-19 rapid tests and masks to people with a lung disease or who are immunocompromised, and for the people living with them. 

Dusty Green, the manager of marketing and development at the association, said the project has been ongoing for a few months and it's an effort to increase access to testing.

"It's really just a matter of wanting to give people the ability to test without any sort of hoops that they need to jump through in order to do that," he said.

The Fredericton Public Library will serve as the new pick-up location for the test kits. 

The kits include 10 tests and 20 KN95 respirator masks. There is a limit of one kit per household every 90 days. People who qualify for the kits don't need to have symptoms in order to get them.

"We're just trying to sort of fill that gap where some people that are symptomatic or maybe not comfortable going out when they have it or some people might be more comfortable just having some kits on hand."

The kits were previously available through the Lung Association's office, but Green said it got overwhelming as staff were spending full days tending to the people getting kits. 

Individuals will be able to get their kits at the library every Tuesday until the end of December. 

Green said the demand for kits is definitely there.

"We're getting lots of kind words and positive messages from people," he said. "People seem really appreciative that the service is available."

He said it comes down to ease of access.

The Government of New Brunswick does provide at-home rapid tests, but individuals have to be symptomatic or work in a vulnerable setting to qualify for them, according to their website.

Shelley Petit, chairperson for the New Brunswick Coalition for Persons with Disabilities, said a service that provides tests to immunocompromised people is necessary.

"When you're immunocompromised and you have disabilities, where your body is already fighting you every day of the week and every moment of that day, catching COVID is so dangerous," said Petit.