Canada to end COVID-19 rapid test shipments. Experts say it could be ‘too soon’ – National
COVID-19 (new coronavirus infection) Rapid inspections, which experts consider essential in the fight against a pandemic, will not be shipped to Canadian provinces or territories, and some are concerned that such a decision may be “too early.” increase.
“Rapid testing is a great tool. Colin Furness, an infection control epidemiologist and assistant professor at the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Informatics, asked when talking to Global News on Friday.
“Maybe it’s too early. I say [that] Maybe it’s because I think it’s a plan that’s missing here. What are our plans to manage this pandemic? “
Planning to protect vulnerable populations, such as children under the age of five who are not yet vaccinated, is important before stopping the shipment of rapid tests, Furnes says.
“One of the reasons we use rapid testing is to protect vulnerable people. If we’re going to finish rapid testing before the group is protected, I’ll give it a spectacular proportion. I would call it a tragedy, “he said.
According to Furness, by stopping the shipment of expedited inspections, it is possible to believe that the COVID-19 pandemic was not actually over.
“If we don’t test people and find positive cases, there’s no pandemic,” he said. “These two are gloved and essentially realize a reality that is in stark contrast to what is happening in the hospital.”
As of June 3, a newly identified case of COVID-19 has killed more than 3.87 million people and more than 41,200 people nationwide.
Currently, more than 3,500 patients in Canada are infected with COVID-19, of which more than 230 are in the intensive care unit.
The country currently kills an average of 43 people per day.
Some experts warned about the possibility of stockpiling before the shipment actually ended.
Kyro Maseh, owner of the Roller Pharmacy in Toronto, Ontario, told Global News: “As we approach the imminent date, we see people stockpiling.”
Furness agrees.
“Hoarding behavior is a human instinct in an era of uncertainty and fear,” Furness said.
It is impossible to predict the future of the pandemic, but Mase wants to know if the federal government has a real plan.
“Ask the federal government, that is, do you have any plans to deliver these tests in a timely manner? Basically, do you need to strengthen the delivery of these tests?” He asked.
nevertheless Ottawa Due to the suspension of shipments, 100 million rapid test reserves are maintained. According to the report, 50 million people will be assigned to states and territories, and the remaining 50 million will be retained to address “general surge requirements.” Public Health Agency of Canada..
However, Mase has doubts.
“The federal government has been unable to provide Canadians with a quick test for about two years in this pandemic, and when they went, they were exhausted,” Mase said.
“To recreate what happened last December, 50 million tests across Canada are sufficient, if you have any questions. Personally, I say no.”
The contents of the COVID-19 rapid antigen test kit were taken in Calgary on January 4, 2022.
Canadian Press / Jeff Mackintosh
But not everyone agrees.
Stephen Hoption Cann, a clinical professor at the University of British Columbia’s School of Population and Public Health, believes it’s time to stop shipping rapid tests due to limited funding for healthcare.
“I think it’s time to shift funding priorities elsewhere, especially with this new outbreak of monkeypox,” he said.
There are currently 77 confirmed cases in Canada Monkeypox71 in Quebec, 5 in Ontario, 1 in Alberta.
According to the World Health Organization website, the disease comes from the same family of viruses that are transmitted from animals to humans and cause smallpox. Smallpox is declared to have been eradicated in 1980.
In addition to monkeypox, Hoption Cann also said another surge in COVID-19 could be possible in the future.
“As we saw in the pandemic, these numbers go up and down. There may still be another surge in the fall. Kids are back in school and college is busy. Hard to predict, new variants I don’t know if it will come out. “
Rapid inspection can still play a role in limiting the spread of COVID-19, but personal protection such as masking is an important step that anyone can take to maintain protection, Said Dr. Teresatam, Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer.
“A quick test can change people’s behavior if they get a positive test, but a negative test doesn’t mean you don’t have it, and other measures will continue. That’s very important, “she says. She said at a press conference on Friday.
“At this stage of the pandemic, some of the roles and responsibilities have returned to state jurisdiction.”
-Use Aaron D’Andrea files
© 2022 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
