Northern Manitoba’s member of Parliament is calling on the provincial government to increase access to COVID-19 testing - though regional health officials said the new demands are not reflective of reality.
In a letter released to the public last week, Churchill-Keewatinook Aski MP Niki Ashton writes that she had received complaints of a lack of access to testing, even of people being turned away at testing sites inside the Northern Health Region (NHR). Ashton’s letter is addressed to Cameron Friesen, Manitoba’s Minister of Health, Seniors and Active Living.
“There must be expanded testing available immediately given that a first case was confirmed and, as has been acknowledged by your government, we are in the phase of community transmission,” reads Ashton’s letter, which was sent while only one COVID-19 case was confirmed in northern Manitoba.
In the letter, Ashton said she had been contacted by constituents who had trouble accessing COVID-19 testing, despite being symptomatic or in close contact with the confirmed case.
“Some of these people seeking testing are particularly vulnerable to COVID-19, others have loved ones who are vulnerable. Our communities are tight knit. Our north is deeply interconnected,” Ashton’s letter reads.
“Our region is also extremely vulnerable and our health systems are already under significant strain. We must take every precaution necessary to keep people and our communities safe. This includes testing. We know jurisdictions that have implemented expanded testing have fared better than others. I urge your government to immediately respond to the urgent need for testing in Flin Flon and across our north. This is about saving lives.”
The letter comes at a time of heightened public awareness and fear of COVID-19 across Canada and close to home. The first cases of COVID-19 in northern Manitoba - two cases as of April 6 - have been reported, with one suspected - confirmed by family members but not by provincial or regional health officials - to have been in Flin Flon.
Ashton also shared a short message from The Reminder’s Facebook page April 2 about a second positive COVID-19 test in northern Manitoba, adding that a second case of COVID-19 had been confirmed in Flin Flon. Ashton later deleted the post. Health officials have not confirmed the location of the second positive case within the region.
Fifteen testing locations have opened throughout Manitoba, consisting of full testing sites and drive-thru testing areas. As of April 6, three testing sites are operating in the north - one at the R.H. Channing Auditorium in Flin Flon, another at The Pas’ Guy Hall and a third in Thompson at the Thompson Clinic.
NHR response
In a response to Ashton’s letter, NHR chief executive officer Helga Bryant wrote a reply to the MP. She said online behaviour by Ashton may have added to worries following the announcement of northern Manitoba's first positive COVID-19 case.
When asked for comment by The Reminder, an NHR spokesperson sent the paper a copy of the letter.
“It is very important that we all do our part to encourage people to follow the instructions of officials, work to promote calm behavior and avoid needlessly inciting fear and panic. It is also extremely important to share credible information,” Bryant’s letter reads.
“We have noted situations where information you have posted has resulted in a flurry of worry, bordering on panic, from our residents. In addition, we have seen interactions both in person and over the phone where our staff are being yelled at and threatened by people demanding to be tested for COVID-19 who clearly do not meet the provincial screening criteria.”
Bryant did not pull punches in her evaluation of Ashton’s statements.
“You are jeopardizing the very healthcare workers you have repeatedly thanked for their service and we need your cooperation to make it stop,” reads Bryant’s letter. The letter, sent to Ashton’s parliamentary email, was copied to NHR board chair Cal Huntley and federal NDP leader Jagmeet Singh.
“I encourage and urge you to remove any posts that on reflection could be seen as non-helpful. I also encourage you to reach out to me if you have specific concerns or situations. I will do my best to share as much information as I can, while following provincial legislation.”
Bryant’s letter also outlined the process used for testing, stating practices surrounding testing come from the provincial health ministry and chief public health officer.
“On arrival at a local testing site, a patient is greeted and the screening tool is repeated with each person by one of our screeners. If no test is indicated, they are provided with important information about COVID-19 and self-monitoring and sent home. If the patient’s answers indicate the need for a test, they are asked to sanitize their hands, put on a mask and proceed to meet with one of the nurses,” the letter reads.
“When someone meets with a nurse, they are asked more detailed questions using an enhanced public health screening tool. In most cases, this will result in a swab being taken and sent in for testing. Occasionally, the more detailed screening will lead to a decision not to test, based on the clinical judgement of the nurse and the information they have collected using the more detailed tool. In that case, the person is provided with the same COVID-19 information as indicated above and sent home.”
People concerned about possible COVID-19 exposure or symptoms are asked to either call Health Links-Info Santé at (204) 788-8200 or toll-free at 1-888-315-9257 or use the online screening tool at sharedhealthmb.ca. The online screening tool will provide information on how to proceed depending on the answers to between 5-12 yes or no questions.
