An estimated 300,000 contaminated Chinese coronavirus tests sent across Canada

According to Dr. Richard Garceau, over 6,000 test kits were contaminated and unable to be used.

Garceau, a microbiologist-infectologist, said that the staff knew the kits were infected the moment that they arrived.

"As soon as we received them, we realized that they were all contaminated with bacteria … In addition to being contaminated, the product was defective," Garceau said.

The test kits arrived in Canada in Winnipeg, then were sent to New Brunswick.

Garceau estimates that over 300,000 kits across the country were contaminated. A spokesperson for the Department of Health said that none of the kits were used by staff in Winnipeg.

"Despite this unfortunate event, we have no concerns with our testing supplies at this time," spokesperson Bruce Macfarlane said.

The premier has assured the province that there are sufficient test kits for the public. "Supplies are not restricting our ability to provide maximum health care and testing that we need to do, as it's decided to be done," Premier Blaine Higgs said.