October 8, 2020

Treaty 5 Territory, Thompson MB — Thompson MLA Danielle Adams is calling on the Pallister government to increase testing sites in Thompson and northern Manitoba. There is currently only one testing site in the Thompson region, open M-F.

“Northern Manitobans have made many sacrifices to flatten the curve and keep each other safe,” said Adams. “Our Seniors, Elders and children are particularly vulnerable and we need to do everything we can to protect them as we head into flu season. A single outbreak in a school would overwhelm the health system here, and we know that the Thompson ER or Acute Care Unit are not prepared for an influx of sick people. I have written this week to the Minister of Health about the need for another testing site in Thompson, and I will continue to speak up for northern Manitobans about the need for a better COVID response from this government.”

Thompson is known as the Hub of the North - a centralized landing place for Indigenous people coming from remote and isolated communities for healthcare. With the winter roads reopening in a few months, risk of exposure increases and the need for rapid testing is imperative.

“Northern First Nations were quick to respond to the new case in Thompson and area; we need the same commitment from the Pallister government to ensure that if there is an outbreak, northern Manitobans have access to rapid testing without delay,” added Adams.