Sask. Workers' Comp. not accepting rapid test results, requiring PCR tests for COVID-19 claims
The Saskatchewan Workers' Compensation Board (WCB) said it will not accept rapid test results for claims relating to COVID-19, and will continue to require a PCR test.
The WCB said that work-related COVID-19 claims are accepted if there is a "confirmed link between the worker's exposure and their employment" as long as certain conditions are met.
"We would want to confirm that exposure to the disease in the workplace, and we’d be looking for a reasonable time period to pass from when COVID is contracted and when they’re in the workplace," said Jennifer Norleen-Beitel, the WCB's vice president of operations.
Generally, if the WCB considers transmission of a communicable disease like COVID-19 to be work related the compensability will be made on the basis of a "known medical diagnosis provided in a medical report."
"We would require an actual PCR test in order to confirm that diagnosis. From an insurance standpoint, we need to have one in place," said Norleen-Beitel. "It’s no different than any other injury that we would be looking for, we’d be looking for medical confirmation of an injury."
"The WCB has not been accepting rapid test results, as there is no way to obtain a medical report confirming these results," the statement reads.
The province announced on Dec. 30 it was no longer recommending asymptomatic residents who test positive on a COVID-19 rapid test to confirm results with a PCR test.
At Thursday's update, provincial officials said meetings are set to be held with labour standards with a clear response to the requirement to follow in the near future.
The Saskatchewan Federation of Labour encourages anyone missing work due to COVID-19 to get a PCR test but noted testing access is becoming a problem as shown by long lineups at test sites in Regina and Saskatoon in recent days.
"They’re not accessible, nearly as accessible as they need to be. If you live in any remote community or even in the city we’re seeing the lineups are just atrocious," said SFL President Lori Johb.
"The truth is this is just one more thing the Sask. Party didn't think about as they were going down a road of let's reduce testing, let's reduce numbers so that people think this isn't as big of a deal as it is," said NDP Leader Ryan Meili.
Johb noted a lack of access to paid sick leave is another source of concern for the federation as the Omicron variant continues to spread in Saskatchewan.
“They’re not going to bother with the test because they realize if they test positive they’re not going to get paid. So that is also a huge detriment," Johb said.
According to the WCB, 1,313 COVID-19 claims were filed between January 2021 and Nov 5, 2021. Of those, 954 were accepted.
The number of claims is expected to rise with the spread of Omicron but it's unclear how many will see people miss significant time from work.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Deaths of 4 people on Sask. farm confirmed as murder-suicide
The deaths of four people on a farm near the Saskatchewan village of Neudorf have been confirmed a murder-suicide.
Multiple bridges in Calgary shut down for police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
Humboldt Broncos bus crash survivor qualifies Canada for Paralympics in rowing event
Former Humboldt Broncos goaltender and bus crash survivor Jacob Wassermann has qualified Canada for a rowing event for the 2024 Paralympic games in Paris.
Baby boom amongst nurses leads to maternity ward closure in Listowel, Ont.
The emergency room at Listowel’s hospital is open today, but come summer, their obstetrics unit will be temporarily closing its delivery rooms.
George Washington family secrets revealed by DNA from unmarked 19th century graves
Genetic analysis has shed light on a long-standing mystery surrounding the fates of U.S. President George Washington's younger brother Samuel and his kin.
Krispy Kreme doughnuts coming to McDonald's in U.S., but not Canada
Canadians will be missing out on a sweet new partnership between McDonald's and Krispy Kreme, which will see doughnuts available at McDonald's locations across the U.S. by the end of 2026.
'We won't forget': How some Muslims view Poilievre's stance on Israel-Hamas war
A spokesman for a regional Muslim advocacy group says Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's stance on the Israel-Hamas war could complicate his party's relationship with Muslim Canadians.