Today, we announced a robust new COVID-19 testing research program at the airport, supported in part by funding from the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP). This research is designed to explore the efficacy of antigen testing, compared with the rapid polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test, in a high-throughput, commercial environment, as well as the operationalization of rapid PCR testing in an airport setting.
Throughout our Healthy Airport transformation, we’ve been committed to a science and data-driven approach, informed by the advice of industry experts. This announcement is the next step in that transformation.
To collect research data, the GTAA will work with a team of Canadian healthcare companies to run the testing study for 9 to 10 weeks, based on availability. The study will make COVID-19 tests available on a one-off basis to workers and passengers who are willing to volunteer as participants. The study will begin accepting volunteers on February 22, with clinical analysis of the test swabs taking place on-site at the airport, providing results within two hours.
The Workplace Antigen Testing Study will run in parallel, exploring the viability of frequent antigen testing within a workforce as a method to quickly identify, trace and isolate COVID-19.
For airport workers, many of whom are residents of Brampton, Mississauga, Etobicoke and Toronto, taking part in this research will help to identify, trace and isolate COVID-19 at work and at home in the communities that surround the airport. It is the latest program put in place to provide additional protections for airport workers.
Find out more about COVID-19 testing at the airport.
Throughout our Healthy Airport transformation, we’ve been committed to a science and data-driven approach, informed by the advice of industry experts. This announcement is the next step in that transformation.
To collect research data, the GTAA will work with a team of Canadian healthcare companies to run the testing study for 9 to 10 weeks, based on availability. The study will make COVID-19 tests available on a one-off basis to workers and passengers who are willing to volunteer as participants. The study will begin accepting volunteers on February 22, with clinical analysis of the test swabs taking place on-site at the airport, providing results within two hours.
The Workplace Antigen Testing Study will run in parallel, exploring the viability of frequent antigen testing within a workforce as a method to quickly identify, trace and isolate COVID-19.
For airport workers, many of whom are residents of Brampton, Mississauga, Etobicoke and Toronto, taking part in this research will help to identify, trace and isolate COVID-19 at work and at home in the communities that surround the airport. It is the latest program put in place to provide additional protections for airport workers.
Find out more about COVID-19 testing at the airport.