COVID-19 test kits have arrived in Labrador amid criticism over lack of supply, long lines
CBC
Communities in Labrador faced COVID-19 testing delays this week, being turned away for appointments and waiting hours in line for a swab, spurring some residents to voice their displeasure over the supply and staffing shortages in the region.
As of Wednesday, there were 10 presumptive positive COVID-19 cases in Nain, with 39 confirmed cases in the Labrador-Grenfell Health region overall.
Despite the concern about spread in the fly-in community, some Nain residents had their COVID-19 tests cancelled earlier this week due to the shortage.
Rex Holwell's son returned home to Nain from university on Sunday, on one of the PAL Airlines flights that were deemed to be COVID-19 exposure sites. However, Holwell said things did not go smoothly when trying to get a test.
Labrador-Grenfell Health called and booked him a test on Monday afternoon. Then, a second call bumped it to Monday evening. Holwell said a third call that same day cancelled it altogether because the clinic didn't have any testing swabs or kits.
"They've known about COVID for the last two years. How are they not prepared? It's a total lack of planning or preparation from the administration … and it's simply inexcusable," Holwell said.
Minister of Health John Haggie said the province doesn't have a crystal ball to see where testing will be needed, and that there's been a lag in some areas. He said his team is working closely with Labrador-Grenfell Health on supply.
"We had a surge and the surge was greater than we predicted," Haggie said. "The supply is there. Weather permitting, we will be distributing them as rapidly and as needed. These tests do expire, so it's important that we use them prudently."
Haggie said there are now rapid test kits in each of the coastal clinics and they were being restocked as of Wednesday. Planes delivered kits on Dec. 28.
Holwell's son eventually got his test, but waiting for one was a stressful experience, he said, pointing to a tragic history of epidemics — including the Spanish flu and tuberculosis — among Nunatsiavut's Inuit population.
"We're staying strong to protect each other. But at the same time, a lot of us feel that we don't have the support from LGH or department or whoever looks after that to make sure you know, we have the proper facilities here," Holwell said.
Elsewhere in the region, residents of central Labrador are being told seek testing as needed after a number of exposure alerts in recent days.
However, people in the only drive-thru testing line in Happy Valley-Goose Bay were waiting up to six hours earlier this week — with some leaving at the end of the day without a swab.
Audrey Heard said it's been frustrating waiting in line for hours on end, only to be turned away.
Scientists say they know why pregnant women may reach for a THC gummy or joint.
Prime Minister Mark Carney says he's not worried about the prospect of increased oil production from Venezuela challenging Canada's energy exports because Canadian oil is cheaper, cleaner and lower-risk.
The District of Vanderhoof, says it is now feeling the full financial impacts of Canfor’s 2024 Plateau sawmill closure and is facing a substantial loss of tax revenue for 2026.
As part of a series of concerts scheduled around the city in the lead up to the Juno Awards, Rollie Pemberton is excited to “hype up Hamilton as a really great music city,” and debut some new tunes.
It was a rocky year for Windsor. But it was a good year for minivans built in Canada's car capital.
An international organization that often finds itself at the centre of human rights conflicts in developing countries has turned its attention to a small town in southwest Nova Scotia.
Tuesday is expected to be a slippery one as Environment Canada is warning freezing rain is expected over the course of several hours.
Bishop Joseph Dabrowski is moving on from the Diocese of Charlottetown in early February to continue his work in Ontario.
The catchphrase going into Tuesday's coalition of the willing meeting on Ukraine in Paris appears to be: expect the unexpected.
A regime change in Venezuela could both help that country regain its former prominence as an oil producer and pose a threat to Canada’s industry, which is producing record amounts of oil and is expected to continue to grow for several more years.
Health Canada says it is reviewing nine submissions for generic versions of popular weight loss medications that pharmaceutical experts say could bring down the price.
Premier Doug Ford says he will make changes to residential recycling collection if needed after the province's newly privatized system had a rough start in Toronto, with some full blue bins sitting uncollected as of Monday.
Drivers in Ontario caught operating a vehicle while impaired will face tougher penalties that no longer need the determination of a judge.