Question Period Note: Testing

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About

Reference number:
ISC-2020-10013
Date received:
May 26, 2020
Organization:
Indigenous Services Canada
Name of Minister:
Miller, Marc (Hon.)
Title of Minister:
Minister of Indigenous Services

Suggested Response:

• The Government of Canada has been actively evaluating and acquiring approved point-of-care tests.

• This is done in collaboration with provincial and territorial governments and includes prioritizing the needs of First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities, especially those in rural, remote and isolated areas.

• We will continue to work with partners to ensure that health centres in First Nations communities have the proper equipment to support these tests, as well as the training procedures required to administer them.

Background:

N/A

Additional Information:

If pressed on jurisdictional roles
• COVID-19 testing swabs are provided by provinces to public health units and ISC nursing stations with all confirmatory testing administered by provincial and national laboratories.
• The provinces and territories acknowledge the need to increase testing quickly across Canada and point-of-care tests are being explored for roll out.
• Where ISC provides services directly in First Nations communities, nursing personnel will notify Regional Health Emergency Coordinators and Regional Medical Officers of Health of any probable COVID-19 cases to ensure ISC is ready to provide any additional support required.