Long-term care homes in Renfrew County are waiting anywhere from three days to over a week for staff and resident test results to come back. Director of long-term care for the County of Renfrew Shelley Sheedy hopes rapid testing can be a solution. She adds it’s not just long-term care homes in Renfrew County that are experiencing delays for test results.
She adds the long wait for test results to come back is concerning as they have to follow the same outbreak protocols.
Sheedy says the local health unit had requested long-term care staff test visitors, but adds that directive is currently on hold.
Sheedy says the province states long-term care homes are only able to test residents and staff and while she sees the importance of visitor testing, it would be an impact on human resources.
All incoming visitors to long-term care homes are still required proof of a negative COVID-19 test.
