Nova Scotia changes approach to COVID testing

As the highly infectious Omicron variant spreads throughout Nova Scotia, the province is being forced to change its approach to COVID-19 testing.

The sheer number of recent cases has created a significant increase in demand for tests.

For example, on November 20, the Nova Scotia Health Authority's lab processed 2,268 tests. One month later on December 20, 10,201 tests were completed.

Testing has been a key element to the province's response to COVID-19 and Dr. Robert Strang said these changes do not come easily.

“We do not have an unlimited supply of rapid test kits. We are working rapidly to get as much as we can, but across the country it's not unlimited,” explained the province's chief medical officer of health at a Tuesday briefing.

“We only have so many people who can staff assessment centres without borrowing from other parts of the health care system, and our lab has limits as well.”

The province will now have to prioritize those who need tests the most.

“That means we will be limiting PCR testing to people who have symptoms, or are close contacts, and are at increased risk for severe disease, or live in a congregate setting, or who are integral to keeping our health care system running,” Strang stated.

If you don't fall into those categories, you will be asked to get a rapid test, even if you have symptoms. More information on how that will work is expected to come this week.

“If your rapid test is positive, you will no longer need to do a follow-up PCR test,” the doctor said. “Assume you have COVID, follow with isolation and notifying your close contacts.”

Rapid tests will no longer be easily available.

Just last week, the province distributed 400,000 rapid tests to libraries across the province, which were quickly snapped up. 

Strang said the supply will not be restocked anytime soon, and the province will also have to pause workplace testing in lower risk environments.

“So if you're going to hospitals or pharmacies looking for rapid tests, please stop, you won't find any there either,” Strang said. “And please, do not hoard or stockpile the existing rapid tests you have, only use them when you need to, and please share them with others if you have a supply and they need one for the testing reasons we've outlined.”

“I certainly appreciate all Nova Scotians commitment to testing. You've done this because we've asked you to do this, but now we need to change simply because of the pressures and requirements of Omicron.”

Strang is also asking Nova Scotians to be kind to health care staff they encounter while getting a test after hearing stories of what he's calling “concerning behaviour.”

“There have been numerous reports of people being physically and verbally abusive, making physical threats and even stealing test kits,” he said. “This is just not acceptable.”

On Tuesday, the province also announced restrictions will be further tightened as of 6 a.m. Wednesday.

The province reported 522 new cases Tuesday, along with outbreaks in two hospitals, including one that involves a small number of people at the Halifax Infirmary site of the QEII Health Sciences Centre.

An outbreak has also been declared at Eastern Passage's Ocean View Continuing Care Centre after three staff members tested positive.

There are no new cases today connected to Parkstone Enhanced Care in Halifax. An outbreak was declared there yesterday after one resident and one staff member at the facility tested positive.