Parents and early childhood educators advocating for PCR testing for children under five
Amid soaring infections, the provincial government has limited PCR testing for COVID-19 to high-risk individuals who are symptomatic or at risk of severe illness.
That group doesn’t include children under the age of five who can’t be vaccinated yet.
As a result, there are growing calls for the Ontario government to make PCR tests available to children – especially those in daycare settings.
“Our 16-month-old, symptomatic unvaccinated toddler, who’s in childcare was not a high enough priority to get a COVID test, so does she have COVID? We don’t know,” said Kate Graham, mother and Ontario Liberal Candidate in London North Centre.
Graham is one of many parents going through uncertainty with a sick child at home after her daughter had to be taken to the emergency room when she spiked a high fever.
“For me, I think this is something that her doctor should know, her childcare center should know, the provincial government should know, and I am her mom so I should get to know, so I am really, really upset,” said Graham.
Under the province's new rules, PCR tests are available only for high-risk individuals who are symptomatic or are at risk of severe illness.
Others with symptoms need to assume they have COVID-19 and isolate with their household contacts for at least five days if they're vaccinated or under the age of 12.
Graham says this isn’t enough and believes the government should reinstate testing immediately.
“I believe government has a responsibility to protect people, especially kids,” she said.
Kara Pihlak, chair of the Licensed Child Care Network’s (LCCN) advocacy subcommittee agrees.
“We don’t really know who has COVID because we can’t confirm it. We are just assuming people who are sick have COVID so I am definitely nervous with the cases going up, for our little ones as well, and our early childhood educators who’ve already been working hard these past few years with no recognition or support,” said Pihlak.
The Association of Early Childhood Educators of Ontario to Education sent a letter to Minister Steven Lecce, urging the government to make PCR testing available to everyone in childcare settings, and to reinstate COVID-19 reporting of daycare cases.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.