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(File photo/CJME News staff)

Fewer visitors allowed in Saskatchewan ICUs as COVID packs hospitals

Oct 11, 2021 | 2:42 PM

If you have a family member in the hospital, it’s possible you won’t be able to visit them.

In a news release Monday morning, the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) announced a change to the rules around family presence.

Any ICU patient will be allowed only two designated support people who can come see them. Only one is allowed in at a time.

According to the SHA, it’s because of how packed the province’s hospitals are with COVID patients.

“There are currently more patients in the Intensive Care Units (ICUs) across the province than there have been at any other time during the COVID-19 pandemic. The vast majority of those patients are COVID positive. Limiting the number of family members and visitors will help to ensure proper physical distancing and help mitigate the risk of COVID transmission in ICU settings,” it said in the release.

However, there’s a chance the rules could change in the coming weeks.

“The decision to limit family presence is not made lightly. These restrictions will be reviewed weekly and may be lessened or further restricted based on regular risk assessments. ICU teams will work to support phone and virtual connections with family/support persons as much as they are able to.”

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