Testing for COVID-19: Increasing testing supply

What Canada is doing

Canada is mobilizing industry and providing support for research, market approval, manufacturing and access to medical supplies. We're working proactively with companies that are developing new and innovative testing technologies. We're also engaging with international regulators to share knowledge about new developments related to testing.

Increasing testing options

Health Canada reviews testing devices to assess their safety, effectiveness and quality before they're authorized for sale in Canada. For a test to be authorized by Health Canada, it must be submitted for review by the manufacturer. To date, Health Canada has authorized over 50 different COVID-19 tests. We also continue to expedite the review of COVID-19 tests, including new testing options.

Health Canada is currently prioritizing the review of:

tests that can be used at point-of-care to provide rapid diagnostic or monitoring results, including antigen tests
saliva tests (tests that use spit as the sample instead of a sample from the nose or throat)

Health Canada has received a number of antigen test applications that are under priority review. Antigen tests detect specific proteins on the surface of the virus and provide rapid results.

A small number of saliva tests have been submitted to Health Canada and are under priority review. Health Canada hasn't authorized any tests for use with saliva at this time.

Health Canada will expedite the review of any new testing technologies submitted by manufacturers, including at-home test kits (also known as "self-testing"). For at-home test kits, the manufacturer must provide data to show the test is safe and effective for Canadians to use without health care professional supervision.

In all cases, companies must provide evidence that the test is accurate and reliable before Health Canada will authorize it. Health Canada has provided guidance to manufacturers on the authorization requirements for different types of tests such as antibody tests and antigen tests.

Rapid tests distributed in Canada

The Government of Canada has purchased over 40 million units of the following rapid tests:

Abbott Panbio: 23,000,000 tests to be provided between October 22, 2020, and March 31, 2021
Abbott ID Now: 7,900,000 tests to be provided between October 22, 2020, and March 31, 2021
BD Veritor: 11,599,990 tests to be provided between November 26, 2020, and March 31, 2021
Quidel Sofia: 850,000 tests to be provided between February 15, 2021 and May 1, 2021

The tables below show the number of COVID-19 rapid tests that have been shipped in provinces and territories as of April 8, 2021 (deployment data as of April 6, 2021). The data for tests deployed show the quantities of rapid tests that have been distributed to their final point-of-care setting where they will be administered to patients. These data do not show how many rapid tests have been used.

There is a delay in the reporting on the deployment of rapid tests. This is due to the time when tests are:

shipped and delivered to provinces and territories
redistributed throughout each jurisdiction

The numbers listed are updated once a week.

Canada

Distribution of tests in Canada
Product name	Tests shipped	Tests deployed^{Footnote *}
Abbott ID Now	6,507,024	1,138,836
Abbott Panbio	22,895,450	8,328,729
BD Veritor	11,599,980	1,094,238
Quidel Sofia	850,000	0
Total	41,852,454	10,561,803
Footnote 1 The test deployed information show the number of tests that have been distributed to their final point-of-care setting where they will be administered to patients. These numbers do not show how many tests have been used. Return to footnote * referrer

Newfoundland and Labrador

Distribution of tests for Newfoundland and Labrador
Product name	Tests shipped	Tests deployed^{Footnote *}
Abbott ID Now	85,432	63,168
Abbott Panbio	304,200	260,375
BD Veritor	0	0
Total	389,632	323,543
Footnote 1 The test deployed information show the number of tests that have been distributed to their final point-of-care setting where they will be administered to patients. These numbers do not show how many tests have been used. Return to footnote * referrer

Prince Edward Island

Distribution of tests for Prince Edward Island
Product name	Tests shipped	Tests deployed^{Footnote *}
Abbott ID Now	11,328	6,416
Abbott Panbio	26,400	no information provided
BD Veritor	0	0
Total	37,728	6,416
Footnote 1 The test deployed information show the number of tests that have been distributed to their final point-of-care setting where they will be administered to patients. These numbers do not show how many tests have been used. Return to footnote * referrer

Nova Scotia

Distribution of tests for Nova Scotia
Product name	Tests shipped	Tests deployed^{Footnote *}
Abbott ID Now	106,512	no information provided
Abbott Panbio	318,825	26,293
BD Veritor	110,160	1,664
Total	535,497	27,957
Footnote 1 The test deployed information show the number of tests that have been distributed to their final point-of-care setting where they will be administered to patients. These numbers do not show how many tests have been used. Return to footnote * referrer

New Brunswick

Distribution of tests for New Brunswick
Product name	Tests shipped	Tests deployed^{Footnote *}
Abbott ID Now	78,912	11,808
Abbott Panbio	320,800	17,150
BD Veritor	0	0
Total	399,712	28,958
Footnote 1 The test deployed information show the number of tests that have been distributed to their final point-of-care setting where they will be administered to patients. These numbers do not show how many tests have been used. Return to footnote * referrer

Quebec

Distribution of tests for Quebec
Product name	Tests shipped	Tests deployed^{Footnote *}
Abbott ID Now	822,816	420,384
Abbott Panbio	3,063,750	1,103,600
BD Veritor	911,280	359,700
Total	4,797,846	1,883,684
Footnote 1 The test deployed information show the number of tests that have been distributed to their final point-of-care setting where they will be administered to patients. These numbers do not show how many tests have been used. Return to footnote * referrer

Ontario

Distribution of tests for Ontario
Product name	Tests shipped	Tests deployed^{Footnote *}
Abbott ID Now	1,218,144	236,683
Abbott Panbio	6,928,588	5,276,305
BD Veritor	2,864,160	71,138
Quidel Sofia	73,200	0
Total	11,084,092	5,584,126
Footnote 1 The test deployed information show the number of tests that have been distributed to their final point-of-care setting where they will be administered to patients. These numbers do not show how many tests have been used. Return to footnote * referrer

Manitoba

Distribution of tests for Manitoba
Product name	Tests shipped	Tests deployed^{Footnote *}
Abbott ID Now	176,448	9,020
Abbott Panbio	558,400	18,300
BD Veritor	194,400	1,170
Total	929,248	28,490
Footnote 1 The test deployed information show the number of tests that have been distributed to their final point-of-care setting where they will be administered to patients. These numbers do not show how many tests have been used. Return to footnote * referrer

Saskatchewan

Distribution of tests for Saskwatchewan
Product name	Tests shipped	Tests deployed^{Footnote *}
Abbott ID Now	148,416	59,347
Abbott Panbio	1,024,800	414,548
BD Veritor	142,560	0
Total	1,315,776	473,895
Footnote 1 The test deployed information show the number of tests that have been distributed to their final point-of-care setting where they will be administered to patients. These numbers do not show how many tests have been used. Return to footnote * referrer

Alberta

Distribution of tests for Alberta
Product name	Tests shipped	Tests deployed^{Footnote *}
Abbott ID Now	537,912	162,108
Abbott Panbio	1,785,600	713,058
BD Veritor	613,440	641,126
Total	2,936,952	1,516,292
Footnote 1 The test deployed information show the number of tests that have been distributed to their final point-of-care setting where they will be administered to patients. These numbers do not show how many tests have been used. Return to footnote * referrer

British Columbia

Distribution of tests for British Columbia
Product name	Tests shipped	Tests deployed^{Footnote *}
Abbott ID Now	626,976	51,360
Abbott Panbio	1,779,650	296,600
BD Veritor	389,880	9,360
Total	2,796,506	357,320
Footnote 1 The test deployed information show the number of tests that have been distributed to their final point-of-care setting where they will be administered to patients. These numbers do not show how many tests have been used. Return to footnote * referrer

Yukon

Distribution of tests for Yukon
Product name	Tests shipped	Tests deployed^{Footnote *}
Abbott ID Now	15,720	no information provided
Abbott Panbio	13,600	no information provided
BD Veritor	0	0
Total	29,320	0
Footnote 1 The test deployed information show the number of tests that have been distributed to their final point-of-care setting where they will be administered to patients. These numbers do not show how many tests have been used. Return to footnote * referrer

Northwest Territories

Distribution of tests for Northwest Territories
Product name	Tests shipped	Tests deployed^{Footnote *}
Abbott ID Now	16,728	4,512
Abbott Panbio	12,800	3,825
BD Veritor	0	0
Total	29,528	8,337
Footnote 1 The test deployed information show the number of tests that have been distributed to their final point-of-care setting where they will be administered to patients. These numbers do not show how many tests have been used. Return to footnote * referrer

Nunavut

Distribution of tests for Nunavut
Product name	Tests shipped	Tests deployed^{Footnote *}
Abbott ID Now	15,720	2,550
Abbott Panbio	22,400	4,800
BD Veritor	0	0
Total	38,120	7,350
Footnote 1 The test deployed information show the number of tests that have been distributed to their final point-of-care setting where they will be administered to patients. These numbers do not show how many tests have been used. Return to footnote * referrer

Federal allocation

Distribution of tests for Federal allocation^{Footnote *}
Product name	Tests shipped	Tests deployed^{Footnote **}
Abbott ID Now	2,645,960	111,480
Abbott Panbio	6,735,637	193,875
BD Veritor	6,374,100	10,080
Quidel Sofia	776,800	0
Total	16,532,497	315,435
Footnote * The federal numbers include tests distributed to the Department of National Defence (DND), Correctional Services Canada (CSC), the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), as well as Northern, remote and Indigenous communities. Return to footnote * referrer Footnote The test deployed information show the number of tests that have been distributed to their final point-of-care setting where they will be administered to patients. These numbers do not show how many tests have been used. Return to footnote referrer

Supporting provincial and territorial COVID-19 testing capacity

The federal government is providing $4.28 billion to the provinces and territories. This money is to help them conduct testing, perform contact tracing and share public health data that will help fight the pandemic. The goal is to ensure they have the capacity to test up to 200,000 people each day, nationwide.

Canada is also providing funding and support to improve and modernize data management across Canada. This support is to help all levels of government coordinate their efforts to contain the virus.

The table below shows the current capacity for each province and territory compared to the capacity target agreed to under the Safe Restart Agreement.

The national capacity target of about 200,000 tests each day is based on modelling. This modelling exercise indicates this capacity is enough to meet the expected demand for testing.

Provincial and territorial COVID-19 testing capacity

Testing capacity reported as of April 8, 2021.

Please consult the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): Epidemiology update for daily and weekly updates on the average number of people tested.

In circumstances where capacity was not reported, the previous week's capacity was indicated (see *).

Newfoundland and Labrador: Target 2,500 - 3,000

COVID-19 testing capacity for Newfoundland and Labrador (Target 2,500 - 3,000^Footnote***)
Date	Projected daily maximum testing capacity
2020-09-03	1,450
2020-09-10	1,450
2020-09-17	1,450
2020-09-24	1,450
2020-10-01	1,450
2020-10-08	1,450
2020-10-15	1,450
2020-10-22	1,450
2020-10-29	1,450
2020-11-03	1,450
2020-11-10	1,450
2020-11-17	1,450
2020-11-24	1,450
2020-12-01	1,450
2020-12-08	1,450
2020-12-15	1,450
2020-12-22	1,450
2020-12-29	1,450
2021-01-05	1,450
2021-01-12	1,450
2021-01-19	1,450
2021-01-26	1,450
2021-02-02	1,450
2021-02-09	1,700
2021-02-16	1,700^{Footnote *}
2021-02-23	1,700
2021-03-02	1,700
2021-03-09	1,700
2021-03-16	1,700
2021-03-23	2,100
2021-03-29	2,100
2021-04-06	2,100
Footnote * Target updated October 6 at the request of Newfoundland and Labrador Return to footnote* referrer

Prince Edward Island: Target 835

COVID-19 testing capacity for Prince Edward Island (Target 835)
Date	Projected daily maximum testing capacity
2020-09-03	350
2020-09-10	430
2020-09-17	350
2020-09-24	350
2020-10-01	400
2020-10-08	400
2020-10-15	400 (800^Footnote**)
2020-10-22	400 (800^Footnote**)
2020-10-29	400 (800^Footnote**)
2020-11-03	400 (800^Footnote**)
2020-11-10	400 (800^Footnote**)
2020-11-17	400 (800^Footnote**)
2020-11-24	400 (800^Footnote**)
2020-12-01	400 (800^Footnote**)
2020-12-08	400^Footnote* (800^Footnote**)
2020-12-15	400 (800^Footnote**)
2020-12-22	400
2020-12-29	400
2021-01-05	600
2021-01-12	600
2021-01-19	600
2021-01-26	600
2021-02-02	700
2021-02-09	850
2021-02-16	850
2021-02-23	850
2021-03-02	850
2021-03-09	850
2021-03-16	850
2021-03-23	850
2021-03-29	850
2021-04-06	850
Footnote Revised to include the surge testing capacity available on a temporary basis. Return to footnote referrer

Nova Scotia: Target 2,500

COVID-19 testing capacity for Nova Scotia (Target 2,500)
Date	Projected daily maximum testing capacity
2020-09-03	1,500
2020-09-10	1,500
2020-09-17	1,500
2020-09-24	1,500
2020-10-01	1,500
2020-10-08	1,500
2020-10-15	1,500
2020-10-22	1,500
2020-10-29	1,500
2020-11-03	1,500
2020-11-10	1,500
2020-11-17	1,500
2020-11-24	2,500
2020-12-01	2,500
2020-12-08	2,500
2020-12-15	2,500
2020-12-22	2,500
2020-12-29	2,500
2021-01-05	2,500
2021-01-12	2,500
2021-01-19	2,500
2021-01-26	2,500
2021-02-02	2,500
2021-02-09	2,500
2021-02-16	2,500
2021-02-23	2,500
2021-03-02	2,500
2021-03-09	2,500
2021-03-16	2,500
2021-03-23	2,500
2021-03-29	2,500
2021-04-06	2,500

New Brunswick: Target 2,500 - 3,000

COVID-19 testing capacity for New Brunswick (Target 2,500 - 3,000)
Date	Projected daily maximum testing capacity
2020-09-03	1,500
2020-09-10	1,500
2020-09-17	1,500
2020-09-24	1,500
2020-10-01	1,500
2020-10-08	1,500
2020-10-15	1,500
2020-10-22	1,500
2020-10-29	2,000
2020-11-03	2,000
2020-11-10	2,000
2020-11-17	2,000
2020-11-24	2,000^Footnote*
2020-12-01	2,000
2020-12-08	2,000^Footnote*
2020-12-15	2,500
2020-12-22	2,500
2020-12-29	2,500
2021-01-05	2,500
2021-01-12	2,000
2021-01-19	2,000
2021-01-26	2,000
2021-02-02	2,000
2021-02-09	3,000
2021-02-16	3,000
2021-02-23	3,000
2021-03-02	3,000
2021-03-09	3,000
2021-03-16	3,000
2021-03-23	3,000
2021-03-29	3,000
2021-04-06	3,000

Quebec: Target 35,000

COVID-19 testing capacity for Quebec (Target 35,000)
Date	Projected daily maximum testing capacity
2020-09-03	20,000
2020-09-10	20,000
2020-09-17	20,000
2020-09-24	20,000
2020-10-01	20,000
2020-10-08	20,000
2020-10-15	20,000
2020-10-22	20,000
2020-10-29	20,000
2020-11-03	20,000
2020-11-10	20,000
2020-11-17	20,000
2020-11-24	20,000
2020-12-01	20,000
2020-12-08	35,199
2020-12-15	37,142
2020-12-22	38,846
2020-12-29	40,196
2021-01-05	37,972
2021-01-12	39,127
2021-01-19	36,929
2021-01-26	40,084
2021-02-02	40,977
2021-02-09	42,386
2021-02-16	39,497
2021-02-23	43,987
2021-03-02	41,386
2021-03-09	42,758
2021-03-16	42,427
2021-03-23	43,382
2021-03-29	44,037
2021-04-06	46,392

Ontario: Target 78,000

COVID-19 testing capacity for Ontario (Target 78,000)
Date	Projected daily maximum testing capacity
2020-09-03	35,108
2020-09-10	39,690
2020-09-17	42,434
2020-09-24	42,816
2020-10-01	42,942
2020-10-08	50,692
2020-10-15	51,397
2020-10-22	64,340
2020-10-29	67,094
2020-11-03	71,564
2020-11-10	78,964
2020-11-17	80,856
2020-11-24	81,630
2020-12-01	81,630
2020-12-08	74,008
2020-12-15	77,333
2020-12-22	77,333
2020-12-29	77,581
2021-01-05	79,821
2021-01-12	120,608
2021-01-19	120,608
2021-01-26	120,608
2021-02-02	116,000
2021-02-09	116,000
2021-02-16	116,000
2021-02-23	116,000
2021-03-02	116,000
2021-03-09	117,800
2021-03-16	118,400
2021-03-23	118,400
2021-03-29	118,400
2021-04-06	120,200

Manitoba: Target 3,000

COVID-19 testing capacity for Manitoba (Target 3,000)
Date	Projected daily maximum testing capacity
2020-09-03	3,000
2020-09-10	3,000
2020-09-17	3,000
2020-09-24	3,000
2020-10-01	3,000
2020-10-08	3,000
2020-10-15	3,000
2020-10-22	3,000
2020-10-29	3,000
2020-11-03	3,000
2020-11-10	3,000
2020-11-17	3,000
2020-11-24	3,000^Footnote*
2020-12-01	2,841
2020-12-08	2,841^Footnote*
2020-12-15	2,841^Footnote*
2020-12-22	3,500
2020-12-29	3,500
2021-01-05	3,500
2021-01-12	3,500
2021-01-19	3,500
2021-01-26	3,500
2021-02-02	3,500
2021-02-09	3,500^Footnote*
2021-02-16	3,500
2021-02-23	3,500
2021-03-02	3,500
2021-03-09	3,500^Footnote*
2021-03-16	3,500
2021-03-23^Footnote*	3,500
2021-03-29	3,500
2021-04-06	3,500*

Saskatchewan: Target 4,000

COVID-19 testing capacity for Saskatchewan (Target 4,000)
Date	Projected daily maximum testing capacity
2020-09-03	1,800
2020-09-10	1,800
2020-09-17	1,800
2020-09-24	1,800
2020-10-01	1,800
2020-10-08	1,800
2020-10-15	1,800
2020-10-22	1,800
2020-10-29	1,800
2020-11-03	1,800
2020-11-10	2,100
2020-11-17	2,700
2020-11-24	2,700
2020-12-01	3,330
2020-12-08	3,450
2020-12-15	3,450
2020-12-22	3,450
2020-12-29	3,450
2021-01-05	3,846
2021-01-12	3,846
2021-01-19	3,846
2021-01-26	3,846
2021-02-02	3,846
2021-02-09	3,846^Footnote*
2021-02-16	3,846^Footnote*
2021-02-23	3,846
2021-03-02	3,846
2021-03-09	3,846
2021-03-16	4,000
2021-03-23	4,500
2021-03-29	4,500
2021-04-06	4,500

Alberta: Target 22,000

COVID-19 testing capacity for Alberta (Target 22,000)
Date	Projected daily maximum testing capacity
2020-09-03	12,000
2020-09-10	12,000
2020-09-17	12,000
2020-09-24	12,000
2020-10-01	15,500
2020-10-08	22,000
2020-10-15	22,000
2020-10-22	22,000
2020-10-29	22,000
2020-11-03	22,000
2020-11-10	22,000
2020-11-17	22,000
2020-11-24	22,000
2020-12-01	22,000
2020-12-08	22,000^Footnote*
2020-12-15	22,000
2020-12-22	22,000
2020-12-29	22,000
2021-01-05	22,000
2021-01-12	22,000
2021-01-19	22,000
2021-01-26	22,000
2021-02-02	22,000
2021-02-09	22,000
2021-02-16	22,000
2021-02-23	22,000
2021-03-02	22,000
2021-03-09	22,000
2021-03-16	22,000
2021-03-23	22,000
2021-03-29	22,000
2021-04-06	22,000

British Columbia: Target 20,000

COVID-19 testing capacity for British Columbia (Target 20,000)
Date	Projected daily maximum testing capacity
2020-09-03	7,842
2020-09-10	8,581
2020-09-17	7,996
2020-09-24	9,633
2020-10-01	9,714
2020-10-08	10,506
2020-10-15	10,586
2020-10-22	12,840
2020-10-29	13,685
2020-11-03	17,033
2020-11-10	17,333
2020-11-17	18,733
2020-11-24	18,733
2020-12-01	18,733
2020-12-08	18,945
2020-12-15	18,945
2020-12-22	18,945
2020-12-29	18,945
2021-01-05	19,439
2021-01-12	19,439
2021-01-19	19,817
2021-01-26	19,817
2021-02-02	19,817
2021-02-09	19,817
2021-02-16	19,817
2021-02-23	20,617
2021-03-02	20,617
2021-03-09	20,617
2021-03-16	20,617
2021-03-23	21,332
2021-03-29	21,332
2021-04-06	19,932

Yukon: Target 160

COVID-19 testing capacity for Yukon (Target 160)
Date	Projected daily maximum testing capacity
2020-09-03	n/a
2020-09-10	n/a
2020-09-17	n/a
2020-09-24	n/a
2020-10-01	150
2020-10-08	150
2020-10-15	150
2020-10-22	150
2020-10-29	150
2020-11-03	150
2020-11-10	150
2020-11-17	150
2020-11-24	150
2020-12-01	150^Footnote*
2020-12-08	150^Footnote*
2020-12-15	150
2020-12-22	150
2020-12-22	150
2020-12-29	150
2021-01-05	150
2021-01-12	150
2021-01-19	150
2021-01-26	150^Footnote*
2021-02-02	150^Footnote*
2021-02-09	150
2021-02-16	150^Footnote*
2021-02-23	150^Footnote*
2021-03-02	150
2021-03-09	150^Footnote*
2021-03-16	150^Footnote*
2021-03-23	150
2021-03-29	150
2021-04-06	150

Northwest Territories: Target 225

COVID-19 testing capacity for Northwest Territories (Target 225)
Date	Projected daily maximum testing capacity
2020-09-03	n/a
2020-09-10	n/a
2020-09-17	n/a
2020-09-24	n/a
2020-10-01	48
2020-10-08	48
2020-10-15	48
2020-10-22	48
2020-10-29	75
2020-11-03	75
2020-11-10	75
2020-11-17	75
2020-11-24	75
2020-12-01	75^Footnote*
2020-12-08	75^Footnote*
2020-12-15	75^Footnote*
2020-12-22	75
2020-12-29	75
2021-01-05	75
2021-01-12	75
2021-01-19	75
2021-01-26	75*
2021-02-02	110
2021-02-09	110
2021-02-16	110
2021-02-23	110
2021-03-02	110
2021-03-09	110
2021-03-16	110
2021-03-23	110
2021-03-29	110
2021-04-06	110

Nunavut: Target n/a

COVID-19 testing capacity for Nunavut (Target n/a)
Date	Projected daily maximum testing capacity
2020-09-03	n/a
2020-09-10	n/a
2020-09-17	n/a
2020-09-24	n/a
2020-10-01	n/a
2020-10-08	n/a
2020-10-15	80
2020-10-22	80
2020-10-29	80
2020-11-03	100
2020-11-10	200
2020-11-17	200
2020-11-24	200
2020-12-01	200
2020-12-08	200
2020-12-15	250
2020-12-22	250
2020-12-29	250
2021-01-05	250
2021-01-12	250
2021-01-19	300
2021-01-26	300
2021-02-02	300
2021-02-09	300
2021-02-16	300
2021-02-23	300
2021-03-02	300
2021-03-09	300
2021-03-16	300
2021-03-23	300
2021-03-29	300
2021-04-06	300

Canada: Target 170,720 - 171,220

COVID-19 testing capacity for Canada (Target 170,720 - 171,220)
Date	Projected daily maximum testing capacity
2020-09-03	84,550
2020-09-10	89,951
2020-09-17	92,030
2020-09-24	94,049
2020-10-01	82,504
2020-10-08	113,046
2020-10-15	113,911
2020-10-22	128,838
2020-10-29	132,234
2020-11-03	141,072
2020-11-10	149,172
2020-11-17	153,064
2020-11-24	154,838
2020-12-01	155,309
2020-12-08	163,218
2020-12-15	169,036
2020-12-22	171,399
2020-12-29	172,997
2021-01-05	174,103
2021-01-12	215,545
2021-01-19	213,775
2021-01-26	216,930
2021-02-02	213,350
2021-02-09	216,159
2021-02-16	213,270
2021-02-23	218,560
2021-03-02	215,959
2021-03-09	219,131
2021-03-16	219,599
2021-03-23	222,124
2021-03-29	222,779
2021-04-06	225,534

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Testing for COVID-19: Increasing testing supply

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Rapid tests distributed in Canada

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Provincial and territorial COVID-19 testing capacity

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