A Region of Waterloo official says that people have been calling 911 in an effort to get tested quicker for COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus. “I want to send an important reminder to citizens about the appropriate use of 911,” Waterloo Region CAO Mike Murray said Wednesday morning. “Please do not dial 911 in an attempt to jump the queue and get tested for COVID-19.” Murray says the region has received several reports of people misusing the emergency hotline.
The Region’s CAO says people are wasting important time and resources by calling 911. “It is a misuse of our valued resources and it places first responders at risk,” Murray said.