For Immediate Release
5 January, 2021
The COVID-19 outbreak in Labrador, per capita, is being reported as the biggest outbreak in Canada. Over the last several days there have been errors in reporting case counts, and backtracks on numbers of healthcare staff that are currently in isolation. MHA for Labrador West Jordan Brown is calling on the NL Government to act quickly to ensure accurate data is being published, and to increase access to rapid test kits across Labrador.
“We applaud the effort that has been put forward by healthcare workers to increase access to booster shots in Labrador. The Government continues to ask more of you, and you’re always there – thank you,” said Brown. “My concern is that we do not have adequate access to rapid or PCR testing and we are not getting reliable, timely information to help inform Labradorians, and keep faith in Public Health.”
Over the last week in Labrador information released by the NL Centre for Health Information had case counts coded for erroneous regions in Labrador, and conflicting information was released about land border entry to the province and access to rapid testing kits. When information was corrected, or clarified, the corrections were not and have yet to be communicated to the public.
“The government’s approach to the Omicron wave in Labrador has been rushed together and it’s making Labradorians feel like we’re an afterthought,” said Brown. “My hope is that we start to see clear communication between the Department of Labrador Affairs, Public Health, and Labrador Grenfell Health so that we can all be properly informed of the situation, and continue to overcome this latest phase in the pandemic.”
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For further information, contact Eddy St. Coeur, Director of Communications, NDP Caucus at 729-2137 (o), or eddystcoeur@gov.nl.ca