Officials Working To Clear COVID Test Backlog: Health Minister

A COVID-19 test backlog in the Saint John region should be cleared within the next day or so, according to New Brunswick’s health minister.

Dorothy Shephard said a “technical glitch” involving a fax machine early last week caused delays in getting patient information to testing sites.

Shephard said the delay has been compounded by dozens of Horizon Health workers being off the job for COVID-related reasons.

“This has created an issue with getting HR personnel in our testing sites and also being able to ensure that we have consistent outreach to those that have applied to have testing,” said Shephard.

Between 600 and 700 were waiting to get an appointment for a test at one point last week, said Shephard. That number was down to just over 200 as of Monday morning.

Shephard said Monday morning that the backlog should be cleared within the next 24 hours and the region should be in “very good shape” in the next 48 hours.

“It is a concern to me when we don’t have accurate numbers in a timely fashion and it’s a concern to everyone,” she said. “Horizon, Vitalite, they’ve all been working around the clock to try and get this in hand.”

Nearly 60 Horizon employees in the Saint John area remained off the job as of Sunday for COVID-related reasons, said Shephard, which creates challenges even at “the best of times.”

Shephard said Horizon has pulled resources from medical partners to help with the backlog, including the Vitalite Health Network, Ambulance New Brunswick and the Extra-Mural Program.

But she said there is a balance between pulling people away from their normal duties to do COVID-19 testing and maintaining acute care services to avoid backlogs in other areas.

“I understand the frustration levels with people who need to go to work, that they’re waiting for tests, and I fully recognize that this isn’t easy,” said Shephard. “It wasn’t about preparedness. It’s about unforeseen circumstances that changed what we have to work with.”

Shephard said people who register for a COVID-19 test should get a callback from a health official within 48 hours.

Anyone who has waited for more than four days to get a response should call 8-1-1 again, she said.

Shephard also encouraged people who are waiting for a callback to ensure they answer their phones.

“We’ve also had a little bit of struggle with getting people to answer their phones and to make sure that they’re available to take the calls and appointment,” she said.