- by Anne Finlay-Stewart, Editor

We have been following up on the media release from the Grey Bruce Health Unit which we published yesterday.

The Sun Times ran a Canadian Press article dated November 18 by Nicole Thompson titled “Elliot defends pharmacy covid testing plan”.

 “It's the same patient population that an assessment centre deals with, without the same level of protection. And then you have innocent bystanders who aren't there for that reason who could be infected...I wouldn't enter the store for any reason, just like I wouldn't enter into an assessment centre without full PPE," said Dr. Michael Warner, an intensivist at Michael Garron Hospital in Toronto, in the article.

Following up on this, we spoke to Kristen Watt, owner of Kristen's Pharmacy, a woman-led, locally owned and operated independent pharmacy in Southampton. Watt has stated on the pharmacy's social media that they will not be performing Covid-19 tests on symptomatic people. In her words, “We have committed to keeping our staff and patients as safe as possible and this type of testing is not consistent with our promise.” 

Sally's Pharmacy on 16th St. E. in Owen Sound will also not be doing Covid testing on those with symptoms. The Assessment Centre is at 10th St E and 16th Ave., in the Sun Life building.

The pharmacy does offer testing to those without symptoms, and has increased their own PPE and surface cleaning and “are bringing in air purifiers to ensure constant air exchange to reduce risk.” They will also be part of the province's testing program to allow patients to swab themselves at home, and will have those processes in place early next week.

If you have questions concerning services or safety protocols at your own pharmacy, call before you go.

We have requested a further statement from the Grey Bruce Public Health Unit on the safety of symptomatic testing in pharmacies, and will publish it for our readers should it be provided.

image from media announcement by Minister of Education, Stephen Lecce