Reporting of COVID-19 test results is still taking far too long

In today's Free Press, it is reported that "Roussin said, people are waiting an average of 55 hours to receive the results of a routine COVID-19 test." Fifty-five hours is far too long. Ninety per cent of results need to be reported in 24 hours if testing and contact tracing are to be successful.

Consider this. Individuals exposed to a person who is has the COVID-19 infection can start transmitting the infection to others on the fourth day afterwards. This means that reporting of test results needs to be done in 24 hours and contact tracing needs to be done in the next 24 hours if testing and contact tracing are to effective in helping to control the pandemic. The third day is needed to catch the last ten percent of cases missed on the first two days. An average of 55 hours is far too long. It means that about half of people do not receive their results for more than 2 days and this means it is likely the contact tracing will not be done before the virus spreads to others. When the virus spreads to others the pandemic spreads.

We are now twelve months into the pandemic. This state of affairs, with testing taking far too long is completely unacceptable and shows how badly we have been let down by the Pallister government. It also shows why the COVID-19 pandemic continues at an unacceptable and unsustainably high level in Manitoba It is why so many stores can not be open. It is also why we are all going to have to remain in our homes over Christmas instead of being able to visit with family and friends.

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Manitoba School Boards have contributed much innovation and advancement of education in Manitoba

On Thursday March 25, in Question Period, I asked the Premier why he is getitng rid of school boards when they have contributed to much to the improvement of education in Manitoba. My question and the Premier's response are below (from Hansard). Manitoba Education System Elimination of Boards and Divisions Hon. Jon Gerrard (River Heights): Madam Speaker, Manitoba school boards have been an incredible source of new ideas and innovation. The White Horse Plains school board brought in audio and video links to Hutterite schools. The Seine River School Division piloted Roots of Empathy, to help kids learn empathy, and also Kids at Play: half-day kindergarten, half-day early-childhood education. The Seven Oaks School Division brought in Met schools. And there are many, many more examples. Why is the Premier getting rid of school boards when they've done so well at listening to parents, at ...

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Too many Manitoba children with learning disabilities like dyslexia are not being identified and helped early on starting in Kindergarten and grades 1 and 2. The Supreme Court ruled in 2012 that it is the provinces responsibility to ensure that every child learns to read, and even when, in the case of a child with dyslexia intensive intervention is needed. In 12 years Manitoba has failed to produce a provincial plan to address this issue. We are holding a Forum (see below) on this subject. Please come out to the Forum. There is no cost. Everyone is welcome. To learn more about the need to do better helping children, youth and adults with a learning disability click on this link

The Gerrard Report

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