Calgary company sees demand for COVID-19 testing increase amid Alberta's new health restrictions
A Calgary company that offers mobile COVID-19 testing says demand for the service has increased significantly over the past few months and is expected to grow even more given Alberta's new Restriction Exception Program.
Numi is a health care hub that offers virtual care and mobile medical services. In addition to on-demand and at your doorstep COVID-19 testing, you can also book things like blood work and lab tests, sexual health tests and IV nutrient therapy.
Numi CEO Peter Verburg said though he came up with the idea for the company in 2017, its launch in 2020 happened to coincide with the COVID-19 pandemic.
"It put a bit more urgency into the whole project because it was obvious that the pandemic was really the mechanism that would create the market for a business like this," Verburg said.
The company also has COVID-19 testing at both Calgary and Edmonton's international airports.
"We're testing a very significant percentage of the people now that are heading out of Alberta on planes because of these airport locations."
Verburg said the demand for COVID-19 testing in general has definitely increased as of late.
"Our testing volumes have steadily grown over the last few months and we're now running – as of next week it should be 5,000 or 6,000 tests a week.
A lot of that is tied to the start up of travel again in the summer," he said. "There's been a pretty significant increase in travel-related testing."
"We've also had a significant increase in our corporate testing."
Numi is also used by educational institutions throughout the province to deliver rapid COVID-19 testing to students.
Verburg said as soon as Alberta's UCP government announced proof of vaccination requirements on Wednesday they began getting calls from people within the restaurant and entertainment industry.
"The fortunate thing for us is we did develop a platform that accommodates this kind of scaling."
He said Numi is hiring "constantly" and typically seeks to hire RNs or LPNs with a minimum of five years experience.
To have Numi come to your home or office you have to book using the Numi app. However, those looking for a COVID-19 test at one of Numi’s pop-up locations at the airport or a pharmacy must book through the Numi website.
Services are typically offered same day or next day.
The company has both antigen and PCR COVID-19 testing with results normally available within 24 hours. Testing is focussed on asymptomatic patients.
Mobile COVID-19 test results are shared via the Numi app or email. Printed certificates are also available.
"We do a lot of mobile COVID-19 testing but we've seen a very healthy ramp up in our other offerings as people become more aware of what we have to offer," he said.
"The idea for this company came up before the pandemic and we plan to be around for long after the pandemic."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Iran fires at suspected Israeli attack drones near Isfahan air base and nuclear site
Iran fired air defences at a major air base and a nuclear site early Friday morning near the central city of Isfahan after spotting drones, which were suspected to be part of an Israeli attack in retaliation for Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.
NEW After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
In his new book 'As Long as You Need', hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Trend Line Anger, pessimism towards federal government reach six-year high: Nanos survey
Most Canadians in March reported feeling angry or pessimistic towards the federal government than at any point in the last six years, according to a survey by Nanos Research.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.