Ontario handing out 5.5 million COVID-19 rapid tests weekly. Here's where to get yours in London

Getting COVID-19 rapid tests this winter has been tough, but the Ontario government announced it will be handing out as many as 5.5 million free tests every week beginning Feb. 9. Londoners will be able to pick them at one of 78 locations across the city.

Big retail chains such as Shoppers Drug Mart, Costco and Loblaws will be carrying them, but small independent pharmacies will have them too. Some have confirmed having or receiving a shipment of tests recently. 

 A full list of pharmacies and grocery stores giving them away can be found on the province's website. 

"In addition to getting a third booster shot, community testing acts as a powerful way to reduce the spread of contagion, by diagnosing early and isolating," said Diane Brisebois, president and chief executive officer of the Retail Council of Canada, in a statement. 

"Today's support by grocery and pharmacy retailers in delivering test kits to communities shows us all how, working together, we can support the safe reopening of Ontario."

The province is aiming to give away as many as 44 million tests over the next eight weeks. 

Not only will they be distributed at pharmacies and grocery stores, but they're aiming to get tests to vulnerable communities through places such as food banks and places of worship. 

There are 2,406 locations across the province where people will be able to get rapid tests each week.