The New Brunswick Medical Society says there is no excuse for the racist verbal attacks faced by the Campbellton physician at the centre of the COVID-19 outbreak.
“This is disheartening and disgraceful. Racism cannot and should not be tolerated,” said Dr. Chris Goodyear, president of the society, in a statement Tuesday.
In a recent interview with Radio-Canada, Dr. Jean Robert Ngola said he made an “error in judgment” by crossing the border into Quebec and returning to New Brunswick without self-isolating.
Goodyear said it is understandable that citizens are concerned and upset about the outbreak in northern New Brunswick.
“However, there is no excuse for the dissemination of his personal information or the racist verbal attacks and false reports to police that he has endured,” said Goodyear. “We must stand together to eliminate racism.”
There have been 13 cases of COVID-19 related to the outbreak, including several linked to the Manoir de la Vallée long-term care facility in Atholville.