Saint John city councillor who tested positive for COVID-19 says vaccine kept him from getting sick
A Saint John councillor who is both fully vaccinated and "entirely asymptomatic" is now in isolation after contracting COVID-19 and is using his story and platform to encourage others to get their vaccines.
David Hickey, who represents Ward 3, was on his way to Prince Edward Island for the weekend and when he arrived at the border on Friday was given a rapid test, and ended up testing positive for the virus.
"I got the phone call, was instructed by P.E.I. Public Health to then go to their testing facility in Charlottetown," says Hickey.
"I did the PCR test at their testing facility and then proceeded to where we were staying, luckily it was isolated enough that myself and the people I was with were able to stay isolated."
Hickey then received a call from the province's chief medical officer of health, Dr. Heather Morrison who confirmed to him that he did, in fact, have COVID-19 – he credits his lack of symptoms to the fact that he has received both doses of vaccine and is using his story to encourage others to get it.
"The only reason I'm safe at home, the only reason I'm asymptomatic is because I'm vaccinated." says Hickey. "I would be at much higher risk for various severe symptoms, certainly respiratory in particular."
As of last Thursday, P.E.I. has increased testing at the province's points of entry as a way to catch any cases of COVID-19 early. Dr. Morrison said today that between Friday and Sunday 8,400 people were tested at the borders – a record number.
"There needs to be a clear call to allow more rapid testing to be available to folks," says Hickey, "and allow more rapid testing to become commonplace in making sure that folks are getting tested regularly – vaccinated and unvaccinated."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
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.
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.
Grandparent scam suspects had ties to Italian organized crime, Ontario police allege
A group of suspects that allegedly defrauded seniors across Ontario and other parts of Canada using a so-called emergency grandparent scam appear to have ties to 'Italian traditional organized crime,' according to an investigator involved in the OPP-led probe.
Sports columnist apologizes for ‘oafish’ comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn’t over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball’s highest scorer Caitlin Clark’s first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
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.
BREAKING B.C.'s short-term rental regulations include $10K daily penalties for Airbnb, other platforms
Short-term rental platforms that violate B.C.'s pending regulations can face administrative penalties of up to $10,000 per day, officials announced Thursday.
Taylor Swift's new album allegedly 'leaked' on social media and it's causing a frenzy
A Google Drive link allegedly containing 17 tracks that are purportedly from Swift's eagerly awaited "The Tortured Poets Department" album has been making the rounds on the internet in the past day and people are equal parts mad, sad and happy about it.
Motion to allow keffiyehs at Ontario legislature fails
A motion to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh within Queen’s Park failed to receive unanimous consent Thursday just moments after Ontario Premier Doug Ford reiterated his view that prohibiting the garment in the House is divisive.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.