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B.C. woman calls for consistency in COVID-19 post-test messaging

91ƵCould we just get one thing straight?91Ƶ asks Surrey91Ƶs Deb Antifaev
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The COVID-19 test centre at Peace Arch Hospital is located on the building91Ƶs south side. (Tracy Holmes photo)

A South Surrey woman is raising concerns over COVID-19 messaging, after receiving conflicting directions regarding isolation requirements.

Deb Antifaev told Peace Arch News she was tested for the virus on Sunday (Nov. 22) morning, after learning that several of her family members 91Ƶ including two of her adult children and their spouses, as well as two of her grandchildren 91Ƶ had all tested positive.

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However, Fraser Health officials say it is a matter of 91Ƶgeneral guidance91Ƶ instructions versus follow-up on individual assessments.

Antifaev said paperwork from the collection centre stated that a positive test required a 10-day quarantine from the test date, however, 91Ƶthe health nurse was saying that91Ƶs completely wrong,91Ƶ of information provided to her son following his positive result.

He was told 91Ƶ91Ƶit91Ƶs still a 14-day quarantine, and then if your kids don91Ƶt test positive, then it91Ƶs another 14 days after your 14 days, in case they do test positive at some time.91Ƶ91Ƶ

91ƵSo that91Ƶs basically a month,91Ƶ she said Wednesday (Nov. 25). 91ƵIt91Ƶs not 10 days at all.

91ƵIf he hadn91Ƶt received a call from the head nurse (at the hospital), he would91Ƶve gone back to work.91Ƶ

Those who test negative should also isolate for a further week after their test, the nurse advised, 91Ƶto make sure you don91Ƶt develop symptoms,91Ƶ however, Antifaev said that that information was not on the form that she was sent home with.

91ƵCould we just get one thing straight?91Ƶ she said. 91ƵIs it 14 days? Is it 30 days? Is it from your diagnosis, or from the day we feel the symptoms? And if we91Ƶre negative, why are we still isolating? How long does it take to show up in your nose?91Ƶ

Antifaev tweeted her frustration with the messaging on Tuesday (Nov. 24), pleading for consistency in the instructions.

The response it garnered was unexpected, she said.

In addition to sundry comments as well as interest from news outlets, 91Ƶeveryone kept retweeting it,91Ƶ she said.

91ƵSurely other people are finding the same experience. There91Ƶs a lot of confusion.91Ƶ

Her husband, Todd, agreed, describing information that91Ƶs on the Fraser Health website regarding what to do as 91Ƶabout as clear as mud.91Ƶ

91ƵThere91Ƶs no clear, concise, 91Ƶthis is it,91Ƶ91Ƶ he said.

91ƵReally, the public health authority has to get their act together and give a clear direction.91Ƶ

In an explanation emailed Nov. 27, Fraser Health told PAN that information distributed at the collection centres 91Ƶprovides general guidance,91Ƶ while a case-by-case assessment 91Ƶtakes into account someone91Ƶs exposure to COVID-19, which can modify how long someone needs to isolate.91Ƶ

91ƵWhen an individual tests positive for COVID-19, Fraser Health Public Health will contact them directly with further instructions,91Ƶ a spokesperson explained.

91ƵWhen an individual tests negative for COVID-19 but has been exposed to someone with COVID-19, or has recently travelled outside of Canada, they are asked to self-isolate for 10 days from when they started feeling sick, or 14 days from the day they were exposed or returned to Canada (whichever is longer).

91ƵWhen an individual tests negative for COVID-19, has not been exposed and has not recently travelled outside of Canada, they are asked to self-isolate until they feel better.91Ƶ

The Antifaevs believe their family members91Ƶ COVID-19 exposure occurred either at Peace Arch Hospital or at one of their grandchildren91Ƶs schools.

Their home is near two schools and Deb Antifaev said she has been 91Ƶhorrified91Ƶ to watch the degree of unmasked, close interaction occurring both on and around school grounds.

91ƵHow on earth did they think it wasn91Ƶt going to spread?91Ƶ she said.



tholmes@peacearchnews.com
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Tracy Holmes

About the Author: Tracy Holmes

Tracy Holmes has been a reporter with Peace Arch News since 1997.
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