The National Research Council (NRC) has provided the RHPOA with the following update regarding its response to the COVID-19 virus.
Canada-wide, 90% of NRC research staff are now teleworking. Maintenance and security staff remain on site at the Montreal Road campus, as do staff who have been reallocated to COVID-19 response work. Staff needed to maintain laboratories, equipment, etc. also remain on site.
We have been assured that the NRC community hotline for any community concerns remains monitored and will be responded to as necessary.
The NRC has received Federal government funding to quickly implement the following COVID-19 measures:
- Coordinate expertise, and form dedicated teams to accelerate development of diagnostics and medical solutions to protect and treat Canadians;
- Work with Federal partners to define challenges, post calls for proposals and award funding to small and medium sized businesses to develop solutions, products and services to address the health care challenges defined for the situation;
- Prepare the NRC Biomanufacturing Facility in Montreal for readiness to produce candidate vaccines or therapeutics for clinical testing or patient use, once a product or products have been developed.
For more information, visit the NRC's COVID-19 Response Page .