Open letter to the community of Happy Valley-Goose Bay

Re: COVID-19 testing at Labrador Health Centre 

During what is normally a joyous season filled with friends, family, rest, and celebration, December 2021 was another holiday wrapped in uncertainty and restrictions. 

With the arrival of the COVID-19 Omicron variant, we’ve seen cases rise in our region and across the country. Residents sacrificed holiday traditions and did their part to reduce the spread of the virus, and our employees continued to show dedication and flexibility to provide safe, quality services. 

Our teams have been staffing daily testing clinics since December 26th, often working longer-than-scheduled shifts and taking on additional responsibilities. Labrador-Grenfell Health is committed to providing a safe testing environment for both employees and patients. Winter temperatures and darkness can create safety risks, and we are doing our best to mitigate those risks while providing timely access to COVID-19 testing. 

Waiting to be tested and waiting for test results can be stressful, and any delays can be frustrating. Additional drive-thru testing will be available from 10 am – 6 pm on Wednesday, December 29th. Anyone who attended the December 28th testing clinic and did not receive a test is asked to return on Wednesday to be tested. If you have COVID-19 symptoms, or are a close contact of an active COVID-19 case, please isolate while you wait for testing and continue to follow all public health guidelines (e.g. wear a mask, wash/sanitize your hands often, and keep a safe distance from others). 

Thank you for your support and patience throughout the pandemic, and for doing your part to slow the spread. 

Sincerely,

 
Heather Brown
President and CEO, Labrador-Grenfell Health