QUEEN’S PARK – MPP Peggy Sattler (London West) has urged the Ford government to rapidly expand COVID-19 testing capacity in London to deal with the surge in demand.
During question period at the Ontario legislature Wednesday, Sattler told the premier that COVID-19 testing centres are continuing to see long line-ups and Londoners are being left waiting for hours, putting them at unnecessary risk. Sattler noted that the Western University mobile assessment unit is turning students away because it can’t keep up with the demand for tests.
“London’s COVID testing centres are completely overwhelmed. Our two assessment centres are seeing the longest line-ups in months, with people waiting four hours or more for a test,” said Sattler. “What is this government doing to reduce the risk and increase access to COVID tests in London?” Sattler asked.
Sattler has heard many stories from London residents about their experiences of trying to get a test. The Quintillan family need to get tested every two weeks to visit their father in a long-term care home, and are now having to take vacation days from work to stand in line for a test. Sattler also heard from Brenda DeSousa whose elderly parents are scheduled to move into a retirement home and may have to delay their move because they couldn’t get a test.
“Testing requires more assessment centres, longer hours, more options for testing. With students back to school the situation in London is going to get much worse, very quickly,” said Sattler.
“Will the minister commit to providing the resources that London urgently needs to expand testing capacity and limit the second wave?”
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