Some Nova Scotians worried about lack of asymptomatic COVID-19 testing options
There are a little more than 600 lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Nova Scotia on Friday.
“There’s lots of cases in daycare centres currently,” says Donna Buckland, who operates a private daycare.
Buckland says the new government policies have removed rapid testing options from childcare facilities.
“I would love to see some better PPE. I’d love to see the KN95 masks at some point for childcare workers.... we are the only industry where our staff work with unmasked and unvaccinated public,” Buckland says.
A statement from Nova Scotia's Department of Health and Wellness states that most workplace testing has been paused, but adds the province's strategy is not written in stone.
The statement goes on to say “the program parameters will be re-evaluated in the context of our broader testing strategy once the current Omicron wave subsides.”
Rapid testing is continuing in correctional facilities, Department of Community Services and funded facilities, and in continuing care.
According to the executive director of the Nursing Homes of Nova Scotia Association, testing is being done, but not as often as previously.
“Rather than test more frequently, we are testing less frequently with twice a week or when required, and we are not using rapid testing for residents. Rather, we are watching for symptoms, monitoring and using PCR testing in those cases,” says Michele Lowe, executive director of Nursing Homes of Nova Scotia Association.
The change in the province's testing strategy is creating some confusion.
Nova Scotia's NDP Leader, Gary Burrill, says his concern isn't so much with the policies of the Department of Health and Wellness, but instead how those policies are being communicated.
“There’s a great responsibility on the government to speak on the issues related to testing with every bit of clarity, consistency, coherency that can be mustered,” Burrill says.
According to Burrill, the core problem with the reduction in rapid testing is the result of a lack of supply provided by the federal government.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
U.S. says Israel's use of U.S. arms likely violated international law, but evidence is incomplete
The Biden administration said Friday that Israel's use of U.S.-provided weapons in Gaza likely violated international humanitarian law but wartime conditions prevented U.S. officials from determining that for certain in specific airstrikes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Mother assaulted by stranger while breastfeeding baby in her car: Vancouver police
A person was arrested in East Vancouver Thursday after allegedly entering a car while a mother was breastfeeding her four-month-old boy.
'We have laws': Premier Smith says police action justified in Calgary
The actions, including the decision to use non-lethal force, to disperse pro-Palestinian protesters from the University of Calgary campus were justified, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said Friday.
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.