Manitoba ends COVID-19 contract with call centre

The provincial government has ended its contract with a call centre in Winnipeg tasked with supporting its COVID-19 response.

Jaime Dzikowski,vice-president of brand and communications with 24-7 Intouch,said in an email on Thursday the move was made on short notice.

It came as the province announced that as ofFriday, public health will no longer notify people about their positive PCR test results,a memo from Shared Healthsent Wednesday said.

That task will be handed to primary care providers who order the tests which are more sensitive than rapid testsfor their patients, the memo said.

The province says patients can also get their test results through the Shared Health COVID-19online result and immunization display or by calling Health Links.

Dzikowskisays the move will affect approximately 680 workers, most of whom holdcontract positionswhich are scheduled to end on April 29.

"We have contacted all impacted employees and will provide a four-week contract extension in an effort to soften the impact of this change,"Dzikowskisaid in the email. "We are working hard to provide resources and assistance to all employees seeking new employment opportunities."

A provincial spokesperson said in an email it is not able to comment on staffing, which isup to the employer, adding it's premature to calculate any money saved by cancelling the contract.

As of April 1, PCR test results can be accessed anytimethrough the Shared Health COVID-19online result and immunization display or by calling Health Links-Info Sant at 204-788-8200 or1-888-315-9257.