(January 20, 2022) – Paul Dinn, PC Opposition Shadow Minister of Health and MHA for Topsail-Paradise, says he agrees with Registered Nurses Union NL (RNU-NL) President Yvette Coffey that there should be more transparency when reporting on hospitalized patients with COVID-19.

In an interview aired on Thursday, RNU-NL President Yvette Coffey says that the province only reports those admitted with COVID-19. Patients that have contracted COVID-19 while in hospital are not reported separately like in Ontario or Alberta.

“The PC Official Opposition completely agrees with the RNU-NL that these numbers should be reported. Data is critical to understanding how COVID-19 is spreading in our province, and the public has a right to know,” said Dinn.

“You cannot make informed decisions when this government is filtering what information is provided. Other provincial jurisdictions disclose these numbers, and government needs to be transparent with the public.”

When asked why these numbers should be reported, the RNU-NL President stated that, “It would better capture the burden on the healthcare system and healthcare workers.”

When pressed by reporters in today’s COVID-19 education briefing, the Minister of Health admitted that there are 55 COVID-19 positive patients in acute care facilities in our province.

“We couldn’t agree with the RNU-NL more, and the PC Official Opposition will always stand in solidarity with the provinces nurses and frontline healthcare workers,” said Dinn.
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Contacts:

David Maher

Director of Strategic Communications

(cell) 709-725-0984

DavidMaher@gov.nl.ca