Delivering COVID self-tests through GetaKit.ca: Creating testing access during a pandemic

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Equity
• Digital Health Interventions

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted disparities in access to testing, particularly for marginalized communities.
• GetaKit.ca was developed to address these disparities by distributing self-tests, including COVID-19 tests.
• The platform aimed to facilitate testing for individuals with risk factors, with a specific focus on Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC).

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the real-world effectiveness of the GetaKit.ca website in distributing COVID-19 self-tests.
• To assess the reach and impact of the distribution on BIPOC communities.
• To understand the outcomes of using a digital platform for pandemic-related testing.

Main Methods:

• An open cohort observational study was conducted using the GetaKit.ca platform.
• Free COVID-19 self-tests (Lucira Check-It®) were distributed to registered participants from September to December 2021.
• Participants completed a risk assessment to determine testing needs, and demographic data, including race and vaccination status, were collected.

Main Results:

• A total of 6,474 COVID-19 self-tests were distributed to 3,653 individuals.
• 47% of the distributed tests reached BIPOC participants.
• BIPOC participants were more likely to be COVID-19 contacts but less vaccinated compared to white participants. A 9.6% overall positivity rate was observed.

Conclusions:

• The GetaKit.ca website effectively delivered COVID-19 self-tests to BIPOC communities.
• The platform demonstrated utility in facilitating testing access for at-risk populations.
• The study underscores the value of digital health systems for testing distribution during public health crises and future pandemics.