Saint John Councilor Uses Asymptomatic COVID-19 Diagnosis To Promote Vaccination – New Brunswick | The Canadian News

David Hickey had COVID-19 but didn’t know it.

The Saint John councilor had planned a trip to Prince Edward Island with some friends and followed the steps to get to the Island. When he arrived, he was given a quick test. He said they were allowed to go through border control.

It was then that he was told that his rapid test came back positive and that he would need a PCR test before being allowed to visit. He was sent to the testing center in Charlottetown.

Hickey tested positive for COVID-19, but was completely asymptomatic. He and his friends immediately returned to the place where they were staying, isolated themselves and followed all the protocols in force on the island.

“I got a call from Dr. Heather Morrison and I said, ‘You don’t call negative people,'” Hickey said in an interview Sunday.

“At that point, I left the island and immediately isolated myself at my home in New Brunswick, thankfully ending on Monday.”

He said he had no doubt that had he not been tested at the border, he would have continued his normal life and could have infected people without knowing it.

“It was definitely a shock,” Hickey said. “I have been vaccinated twice for quite some time. I have been extremely cautious with public health measures, making sure to follow them. I made sure my bubble was made of the same thing. “

He said it was very surprising because he could not find out where he contracted the virus; you have your suspicions, but you really aren’t sure.

“Fortunately, anyone I have been in contact with up to that test has also come back negative,” he said.

Hickey remains asymptomatic and has been throughout his isolation. He said it feels good.

For Hickey, however, this was a lesson in the importance of using rapid tests as a first line of defense and evidence that vaccines work.

“I think the most important thing here to remember is that as we move forward, the key should be for people to get vaccinated,” he said.

“I can isolate myself safely, healthy and without symptoms of COVID-19, because I am vaccinated and that is the only reason. If I don’t get vaccinated, I would be at significant risk of serious health complications. We have seen the death toll rise in New Brunswick and it has become an increasingly dire and dire situation. “

Province using rapid tests

Public Health in New Brunswick has come under fire for not using rapid tests more often. According to federal figures, which have not been updated in a month, 1,150,112 rapid tests were sent to the province.

On October 1, Public Health updated the number of rapid tests and showed that it used more than half the supply that the feds gave them, in 586,000 rapid test kits through the COVID-19 Point of Care Testing program.

“Rapid tests are also used to control outbreaks,” said the October 1 press release.

Neighboring Nova Scotia has made rapid tests available to the general public. Anyone who wants to take a test can access it.

The province distributes rapid tests for residents to take home.

Global News has requested comment on whether Public Health in New Brunswick plans to make rapid tests widely available to the public amid a continued surge in cases and is awaiting comment.

However, schools will receive rapid tests.

“Beginning October 12, unvaccinated students who identify themselves as a close contact of a confirmed case will receive a five- or 10-day supply of rapid tests, depending on the last possible exposure date to the confirmed case, along with instructions. ”Said Public Health on October 5.