Operators of nursing homes across the province are begging government to provide them with rapid test kits following an outbreak at a home in Kippens on the west coast.

Shaun Lane, the owner of Silverwood Manor and president of the Personal Care Homes Association of Newfoundland and Labrador, says about 90 per cent of the residents and 75 per cent of staff there have tested positive.

Government has told them that employees should be tested twice a week or once every three days, but operators aren’t comfortable with that approach.

He says homes wish to test employees every single day before they enter the building for their shift.

Operators would rather keep the virus out by using the entire toolkit.

Instead, he says government has given them a screwdriver when they need a drill.