what to do in sault ste marie canada area

Important Updates

March 23, 2022 - Combined Throat and Nasal Swabbing. Data suggests the operation of Rapid Antigen Tests may not be as good at detecting Omicron compared to previous variants, merely swabbing the inside of the cheek and the back of the tongue or throat, equally well as the nose, increases the sensitivity of rapid tests in detecting Omicron. Nosotros have added the sit-in video for perfomring combined throats / nasal swabbing below.

March 23, 2022 - Update: Reporting your results . Equally per our latest guidance from the Ministry building of Economic Evolution, Job Creation and Trade (MEDJCT) which oversees the Chamber'due south Rapid Antigen Test Distribution Program, b usinesses and organizations receiving rapid tests are no longer required to report their results back to Chambers of Commerce and Boards of Merchandise.

March 9, 2022 - NEW TEST KITS / Important information for ordering. Businesses ordering Rapid Antigen Examination Kits through the Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce will now receive test kits dissimilar than those listed on the StaySafe lodge portal. We volition at present be distributing Rapid Response BTNX Inc. tests. It is important to note that when you place your order on the StaySafe portal, y'all will identify an lodge for one or more boxes of Panbio tests which are packaged with 25 tests per box. The SSMCOC will fulfil your order with the appropriate number of Rapid Response BTNX tests which are packaged with v tests per box. Information technology is important that you lookout man the grooming video for theRapid Response BTNX Inc. tests, equally there are some differences in the way that this test is performed compared to the Panbio tests your business may have received previously.

January 11, 2022 - Update: Changes in Testing & Reporting Positive Results Stemming from Ontario's Updated Testing Guidelines . Every bit a event of the new COVID-xix testing guidelines adopted by the province of Ontario, we have been provided with some new guidance from Algoma Public Health (APH), specific to testing and reporting positive Rapid Antigen Test results:
- Businesses are no longer required to contact APH to propose them that they are taking part in a rapid testing program in their business
- Positive results received through Rapid Antigen Testing are NOT to be reported to APH, unless they meet specific criteria. The ONLY Rapid Antigen Test results APH is requesting at this time are for those who piece of work, alive, or volunteer in a loftier hazard setting. High gamble settings are limited to retirement homes, long term care homes, elder intendance lodges, hospices, home care agencies, hospitals, paramedics, and besiege living settings (e.k. shelter, grouping dwelling house, or correctional facility)
- Persons who go a positive result when using a Rapid Antigen Test are advised non to seek confirmatory PCR testing at an assessment eye. Anyone who receives a positive result from a RAT must be brash to return home and isolate away from household members immediately.
- Should a positive issue exist received on a Rapid Antigen Test, persons must follow the information for themselves and provide information to their contacts that is located on the APH website https://www.algomapublichealth.com/illness-and-illness/infectious-diseases/novel-coronavirus/information-for-those-who-examination-positive-for-covid-xix-high-risk-contacts-and-workplaces
November 25, 2021 - Update: Extended Expiration Date . Every bit of Sept. 9, 2021, the Panbio COVID-19 Ag Rapid Examination Device (Nasal) has received potency from Health Canada to accept its shelf-life extended to 24 months (Potency reference number 324506, Amendment Reference Number: 335165). This means that thePanbio COVID-nineteen Ag Rapid Test Device (Nasal) may be used upwards to one twelvemonth past the expiration date listed on the packaging.

November 25, 2021 - Update: Panbio Rubber Sheet . Nosotros take posted an updated Panbio safety sheet in the additional resources section at the bottom of the page. Please print this off and go along it with your Rapid Test file in the event that y'all need to reference information technology.
All Orders are for Business Commercial Utilise Merely

PLEASE NOTE:Rapid Antigen Test Kits ordered through the Sault Ste. Marie Bedroom of Commerce Rapid Test Program are for COMMERCIAL Business USE But . Under the provincial program providing these test kits, we cannot fulfil orders placed past private persons or orders intended for personal use .

Due to high demand across the province, pick ups outside of the regional area of your chief business organisation location cannot be accommodated. All businesses placing orders through the Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce via the StaySafe portal must exist located in Sault Ste. Marie / Algoma.
Program Outline

Screening kits are provided by the Ontario Authorities complimentary to small-scale- and medium-sized businesses(under 150 employees) equally an boosted tool to help go on workplaces in Ontario safe. Whatsoever misuse of the procedures tin negatively touch the workplace. Care and attention to the proper process is essential for this tool to exist effective.

The latest data from Health Canada suggests that upward to one-tertiary of people carrying the virus are asymptomatic causing little or no noticeable signs, however, over 50% of known cases were transmitted by an asymptomatic carrier. This makes information technology incredibly important to find asymptomatic carriers in club to combat the spread and get to more normalized community life.

A COVID-19 rapid screening exam can be performed anywhere (eastward.g., on-site, at the identify of employment) and does not require shipping a specimen to a lab for processing. It takes approximately 15 minutes to yield a event.

Frequent screening with rapid antigen tests increases the chances of early identification of cases in asymptomatic individuals simply. Recommended frequency is twice per employee, per week.

Getting Started

Designated Screening Supervisor

Each visitor should assign aDesignated Screening Supervisor, who will be the contact person. This is the person that must place orders, pick up the kits, and complete all reporting.

Training Videos

The appropriate training video (based on the type and make of examination your are using) must exist viewed in its entirety past the Designated Screening Supervisor and nosotros strongly recommend that it be shared with all employees who may be taking part in the screening process.
Training Video - BTNX Inc. Tests (5 tests per box)
Training Video - Abbott PANBIO Tests (25 per box)
Performing a Throat and Nasal Swab

Data suggests the functioning of RATs may not be as good at detecting Omicron compared to previous variants, but swabbing the inside of the cheek and the dorsum of the tongue or pharynx, likewise as the nose, increases the sensitivity of rapid tests in detecting Omicron.

The Ontario Science Advisory Table has posted video demonstrating the current recommendation on sample drove. Note: This video begins by saying "there is no direct show" that performing a test with both throat and nasal swabs is meliorate; still, since the video was posted on February 7, 2022, more than studies are showing this increases effectiveness. Current enquiry shows that:

- Omicron is more probable to be detected in the throat

- Delta and other variants are more than likely to exist detected in the nasal crenel.
We require confirmation that the Designated Screening Supervisor has viewed the appropriate video(due south) in its / their entirety. Please click Here (one fourth dimension but, prior to get-go guild).

Determine the procedure of administering tests in your business (Centralized or De-centralized). Learn more than HERE .

Order Your Kits

The SSMCOC has partnered withStaySafe™ to manage the registration, ordering, and scheduled pickups of its Rapid Antigen Screening Kits.

When you first register, y'all will be asked to review T ERMS AND CONDITIONS . Please take the fourth dimension to review carefully.

You volition exist allowed to order atwo week supply based on the number of employees in your business.

You will be prompted to select achoice-upwards time. The Sault Ste. Marie Bedroom of Commerce has partnered with the GFL Memorial Gardens to permit for pick up of the kits at the thespian entrance to the facility (due south-westward corner of the building).

Important: Please be sure to fully identify your club. There are multiple steps and screens to motility through earlier your online social club is placed. Follow all confirmation prompts during the order process and be certain to click "COMPLETE Society" on the concluding screen. When you guild is placed, you will receive a confirmation due east-mail service and an gild number. You must be able to provide the order number during the pick up appointment (if requested) or your club my not be fulfilled..

When you go far to pick upwards your order, please pull up to the curb in front of the door. Please ensure that yous are wearing a mask and delight exercise non go out your vehicle. Volunteers will confirm the order for your concern and bring the kits to your vehicle. When picking up your testing kits, yous will exist provided with a chancy waste collection bag. Please ensure that y'all store your test kit collection waste safely. Collection materials should exist returned for safe and proper disposal at your next scheduled test kit pickup.

Reporting

As per the latest guidance from the Ministry of Economic Development, Task Creation and Trade (MEDJCT) which oversees the Chamber'south Rapid Antigen Test Distribution Plan,b usinesses and organizations receiving rapid tests are no longer required to report their results back to Chambers of Commerce and Boards of Trade.
What to do if you get a positive result
(Updated January xi, 2022) As a upshot of the new COVID-19 testing guidelines adopted by the province of Ontario, we have been provided with some new guidelines from Algoma Public Health (APH), specific to testing and reporting positive Rapid Antigen Examination results:

Positive results received through Rapid Antigen Testing areNot to exist reported to APH, unless they see specific criteria. TheSimply Rapid Antigen Exam results APH is requesting at this time are for those who piece of work, alive, or volunteer in a loftier risk setting. High run a risk settings are limited to retirement homes, long term intendance homes, elder care lodges, hospices, home care agencies, hospitals, paramedics, and congregate living settings (e.m. shelter, group dwelling house, or correctional facility)

Persons who become a positive result when using a Rapid Antigen Examination are advisednon to seek confirmatory PCR testing at an cess heart. Anyone who receives a positive upshot from a RATmust exist advised to return home and isolate away from household members immediately.

Should a positive result be received on a Rapid Antigen Test, persons must follow the information for themselves and provide data to their contacts that is located on the APH website https://www.algomapublichealth.com/disease-and-affliction/infectious-diseases/novel-coronavirus/information-for-those-who-exam-positive-for-covid-19-high-adventure-contacts-and-workplaces
Partners
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DISCLAIMER : Screening kits are an added measure out but all other PPE and distancing protocols must go along to be followed regardless of screening. Businesses participating in the SSMCOC Rapid Antigen Screening Kit plan must i) study all positive test results using the reporting tool provided at the link above. Annotation: The Sault Ste. Marie Bedroom of Commerce does not receive or accept access to any results reported by participating businesses.

COMMUNICATIONS: Periodic updates on the Rapid Test programme may be sent by email. By registering to receive testing kits, you lot concord to receive electronic communications. You may unsubscribe from these communications at any fourth dimension.
The Sault Ste. Marie Sleeping room of Commerce has several members that can aid your business with its PPE(Personal Protective Equipment) needs, including: face / surgical masks, face shields, sanitizer, gowns, plexiglass barriers, signage, floor decals / markers, pattern / fabrication of specialty items, floor / furniture layout. Click Here for Bedchamber mem ber PPE suppliers.