Despite an additional warning from an epidemiologist, health care associations have strongly condemned Quebec’s decision to allow some asymptomatic workers affected by the covid disease to work. Canadian The provinces could be forced to adopt similar measures, such as the Omigron uprising.
On Tuesday, Quebec said it had no choice but to allow some essential health workers to continue working rather than isolate them at home after a positive test, preventing staff shortages from paralyzing health services.
Many unions have expressed concern that the decision could further strain healthcare networks and put workers and patients at risk.
“The network is not prepared to take the risks of the government’s decision to return asymptomatic employees to work. Currently, we cannot even assess employees at their workplace, ”said Region Leklerk, president of the company. Federation of Social and Health Services, Which represents the 120,000 public and private sector health workers in the province.
Leklerk called for better tests for workers and improved ventilation in hospitals.
“We cannot condone this decision that endangers the health and safety of our members, but they must provide essential care and services especially to vulnerable people.” Alliance of Professional and Technical Personnel in Health and Social Services Said in a post on social media.
The union represents 60,000 workers in public health and social service organizations throughout Quebec.
The most populous provinces are found in Quebec and throughout Canada. OntarioTens of thousands of people are forced into isolation due to the contraction of the highly contagious Omigran variant, and new government cases are reported daily.
Andrew MorrisA professor of infectious diseases at the University of Toronto, said Wednesday that other states may have discussed similar measures to help address staff shortages at hospitals.
“All jurisdictions in the northern hemisphere face the same problem. It is a clear fact that we cannot function by isolating everyone for 10 days, “he said.
Morris said he was unaware of other jurisdictions that would allow affected healthcare workers to work, but pointed out. Norway Earlier this winter, the delta had already shortened its isolation period during the tsunami.
For us Health officials on Monday reduced the recommended isolation time for Americans with asymptomatic patients to 10 days from the previous guideline.
Spain Although the number of new infections registered in the country has reached record levels, its period of self-isolation has been reduced from 10 to seven days.
* Thanks to Reader Ed for flagging this.
