Drop in COVID testing numbers could prolong lockdown, says infectious disease expert - HalifaxToday.ca

A local infectious disease expert says Nova Scotia needs people to keep getting tested for COVID-19 in order curb the surge of cases in the province.

After seeing record-breaking numbers of tests processed in the last few weeks, Dr. Lisa Barrett told NEWS 95.7 fill-in host Todd Veinoitte she's seen a drop off in recent days.

Barrett says there is still community spread, particularly in HRM, and because not everyone shows symptoms, testing is the best way to identify COVID.

"We need people to keep getting tested, and that's not happening," Barrett adds. "The numbers might come down, but they'll go straight back up again if we don't find these smouldering little fires."

Barrett says despite having a province-wide shutdown, most people still have contact with others in their life which means there is still a risk of being infected with the virus.

"Unless you truly see absolutely no one, which is almost no one on the planet, really try to get tested," she said. "Otherwise, we'll open up and these small amounts of asymptomatic and low symptom people will get in touch with other people, and we'll start this all over again."

She says there is a good chance the province can lift restrictions within a few weeks but only if they can keep up vaccinations and testing, together.

Last Monday, Nova Scotia Health Authority's labs completed a single-day record of 19,174 tests. This Monday, 4,421 tests were processed.

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Drop in COVID testing numbers could prolong lockdown, says infectious disease expert - HalifaxToday.ca
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