Concerns raised over lack of information around nursing home COVID-19 outbreaks
CBC
A seniors advocate and the opposition health critic are calling on the Higgs government to be more transparent about COVID-19 outbreaks in nursing homes and other long-term care settings.
They contend it's important for the public to be kept informed about vulnerable citizens to ensure they are safe, and about COVID activity in New Brunswick so they know what steps to take to protect themselves.
They question whether the government is attempting to downplay COVID in the province, despite warnings about an anticipated surge this fall and winter.
At least 12 nursing homes and 16 congregate living facilities, such as retirement residences, special care homes and shelters, are dealing with COVID-19 outbreaks, the Department of Health confirmed to CBC News earlier this week.
But the department refused to release any other information, including the total number of cases, the breakdown of infected residents and staff, how many hospitalizations, intensive care admissions or deaths have resulted, if any, or the vaccination rates at the homes, citing privacy.
The only thing spokesperson Adam Bowie would say is that an outbreak may be declared if at least two confirmed cases have been identified within 10 days.
Cecile Cassista, executive director of the Coalition for Seniors and Nursing Home Residents' Rights, is "utterly shocked."
"I just think that it's outrageous for the government to take this direction to not be making the public aware of what's going on," she said.
"I mean, these are our aging population in there. They need to be protected. And it seems to me that there's some sort of a hidden agenda, if you will. And it doesn't sit well with me at all."
It's "unacceptable," said Cassista, who was invested with the Order of New Brunswick earlier this week in part for her "outstanding commitment to advocacy on behalf of the province's seniors, so they can live with greater respect and dignity."
She said she intends to write to Premier Blaine Higgs as well as the minister and deputy minister of Social Development to voice her concerns.
"The public needs to know, family needs to know, and for them actually to not disclose tells me that they're hiding something."
By not being transparent, it leads the public to think "there's something suspicious going on," she said.
Cassista noted health officials are expecting a "nasty" surge of COVID and flu activity in the coming months.
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