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Ontario’s COVID-19 testing system in upheaval as volumes drop at some sites, positivity rates rise and samples get shipped out of province
The record high number of COVID-19 tests reported Thursday masks upheaval in Ontario’s testing system, with assessment centre volumes dropping, positivity rates rising, and other provinces bailing out Ontario’s backlog. This week, testing activity has significantly dropped below targets, however, with a daily average of 270 tests compared to 520 last week. At Humber River, 83 people cancelled Wednesday and 73 the day before, said Dr. Ruben Rodriguez, lead for the hospital’s assessment centres. “That is taking away appointments from other people.”The specimens being sent to Nova Scotia and Winnipeg for testing are part of a partnership struck by Public Health Ontario. The agency couldn’t confirm if other members of the provincial testing network are also sending samples out of province.
Source: thestar October 09, 2020 09:00 UTC
