The Medical Officer of Health for the Northwestern Health Unit believes there is no need to expand PCR testing.
COVID rates are higher than reported as most people don’t have access to the specific test.
However, Dr. Kit Young Hoon says the current system works for the environment we are facing.
“We do need to be strategic and careful with how we use resources because human resources are limited at this time. We would have to dedicate a lot more staffing to doing PCR testing, and we’ll have less staff for things like emergency room departments and case and contact calls,” says Dr. Young Hoon.
“The current policy makes sense because the PCR test result is particularly meaningful in certain situations and the antigen test is best used in situations where the test result is less important.”
She adds the severity associated with the new variants isn’t much different from previous Omicron variants.
The positivity rate is currently 17.2 per cent.
The health last reported a total of 80 cases confirmed through PCR testing across its catchment area.
Four of the cases are in the Fort Frances. Three are around Emo.
There are single cases in Atikokan and the far west end of the district.
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