Greens call to extend wastewater testing program

June 5, 2024

QUEEN'S PARK — Ontario Greens Leader Mike Schreiner released the following statement in response to news that Ontario is ending the COVID-19 wastewater surveillance program.

“The COVID-19 wastewater surveillance program has become a vital tool for tracking infectious disease threats in Ontario – not only Covid, but also influenza, RSV, polio and others.

We need this kind of detailed information to detect emerging threats, monitor community spread and make informed policy and public health decisions.

Given the scope of Ontario’s wastewater testing program, the expansion of federal testing into the province is insufficient to maintain the standard we have established.

I join the many doctors and medical experts calling on the government to preserve funding for the wastewater testing program so that we can continue to benefit from the many insights it offers.”

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