Community Report
2020

Ontario Ministry of Education Asymptomatic Testing & Mobile Testing

The COVID-19 pandemic has presented unique challenges for our kids. With school closures, social isolation and dramatic changes to their daily routine, our children and youth have had to navigate these difficult times with a great amount of uncertainty and fear. To help provide peace of mind to students and their families, the Ontario Ministry of Education named LifeLabs as a lead partner in conducting asymptomatic testing for COVID-19 at Ontario schools. Keeping students and schools safe and healthy throughout the COVID-19 pandemic is vital to the overall wellbeing of our communities, and LifeLabs is honoured to support this important work.

In addition to the clinics provided in schools, LifeLabs was asked to participate in a pilot project to bring COVID-19 testing to students and families who live in hot spots in the greater Ottawa area. As part of the pilot, LifeLabs’ staff travel to an identified location in a paramedic bus and deliver testing from within the bus itself.  This innovative approach is improving access to critical testing where it is needed most. The pilot has proven to be a very successful model and the Ottawa Public Health plans to continue using this approach to connect members of the public with vitally important testing services throughout the Ottawa area.