NDP: More testing needed for health care heroes and seniors care residents

QUEEN’S PARK — Ontario’s NDP is calling for the Ontario government to immediately use its COVID-19 testing capacity, including regular tests for frontline health care workers and seniors living in long-term care. Ontario has the lowest testing rate per capita in the country, and public health experts have expressed concern about the lag in testing.

CBC reported that Ontario’s testing has dropped steadily over the last week even though capacity has increased, a worrying trend while the virus still spread.

“More information will show us if we need to tighten public health measures to stop the spread of COVID, particularly among healthcare workers and long-term care residents,” said NDP Leader Andrea Horwath. “We need to expand testing so we have a clear picture on how widespread COVID-19 is in the province.

“And Ontario needs to do literally everything possible to protect our health care heroes, first responders and vulnerable seniors.”

Health care workers alone make up at least one in 10 cases of COVID-19, demonstrating the urgency to increase testing, even of non-symptomatic health care staff.