Ontario targets specific workers for COVID-19 tests, including LCBO staff, cops

The province says that next week community testing will also start in places with a high number of COVID-19 cases

Ontario is targeting specific workers for COVID-19 testing such as first responders, LCBO staff and people in businesses with outbreaks, including bringing mobile testing units to them.

The province has at times struggled to meet its daily testing goals, and is now expanding the list of those who can get tested.

A testing strategy released today says the province is testing staff and inmates in some correctional facilities, staff in select hospitals, first responders in Toronto and their families, LCBO workers, all residents and staff in retirement homes and people in long-term care homes for a second time.

The province says that next week community testing will also start in places with a high number of COVID-19 cases, with a van or bus going to affected workplaces, or simply directing employees to go to assessment centres.

Ontario has intended to do 16,000 tests per day throughout May, and while it has met that goal less than half of the time, the numbers have increased in recent days, with 18,525 tests reported today.

Levels dropped sharply once a blitz of nearly all long-term care residents and staff was completed over the long weekend, but they have picked up again in recent days after Ontario relaxed criteria for members of the public to be tested.