Sask. gov’t announces some COVID measures, but masks not mandated

“This service reduction will mirror previous services reductions, and is necessary to create capacity for acute or urgent services,” the government said in a media release.

“The temporary service disruptions that will result will be as localized and time-limited as possible to limit impact on patients and be announced as they are ready for implementation through the SHA’s normal service disruption public notification processes.”

With some services being reduced, the SHA is to purchase approximately 8,500 MRI and CT scans from private providers, and will do an additional 2,300 scans in smaller hospitals.

Self-isolation

As of Friday, anyone who tests positive for COVID will have to self-isolate for 10 days after receiving the result.

“Unvaccinated close contacts of individuals that tested positive for COVID-19 will also be required to self-isolate,” the release said. “Fully vaccinated individuals identified as a close contact of a positive case will not be required to self-isolate, but will be required to self-monitor and seek testing at the first sign of COVID-19 symptoms.”

Labour mobility

As it shifts employees from one area to others to deal with COVID issues, the SHA is getting help from the government to reach a “renewed agreement with health-care provider unions to provide greater flexibility in scheduling and placing health-care workers in areas experiencing surges in capacity pressures.”

Earlier this year, the SHA and health sector unions agreed to a Letter of Understanding (LOU) that allowed for labour mobility. The LOU expired when the provincial state of emergency was lifted.

The government said that if an agreement can’t be reached by Monday, it will sign another provincial emergency order that would reinstate the previous provisions allowing for mobility.

Testing and contact tracing

The SHA and Ministry of Health plan to expand testing capacity using existing third-party contracted testing service providers, as well as by getting more publicly funded testing resources.

As well, more rapid testing resources will be used in Saskatchewan. The province has purchased an additional 1 million rapid antigen tests from the federal government, with a shipment of 500,000 to arrive late next week.

The tests are to be made available to long-term care and personal care facilities, shelters, group homes and schools for routine screening; to health-care workers, dentists, first responders and pharmacists for self-testing; to businesses for workplace screening; and to schools for students under the age of 12 and their families to use for at-home testing.

As well, the SHA, the Ministry of Health and SaskBuilds and Procurement are planning to recruit private contract tracing resources to address a shortage in that area.

Booster doses

Starting in October, COVID-19 booster shots will be available for Saskatchewan seniors, with further expansion to the public throughout the winter.

Further details including eligibility for boosters, sequencing, and timing of the shots are to be announced in the weeks ahead.

Proof of vaccination for health-care workers

All SHA employees now will be required to provide proof of vaccination.

“Consultations with key stakeholders are currently underway in order to fully develop the policy and implementation plan to require proof of vaccination or proof of negative test for all SHA employees,” the government’s release said.

QR codes

The government’s verifiable record of vaccination is to be launched the week of Sept. 20.

Residents who are currently registered for eHealth Saskatchewan’s MySaskHealthRecord will be able to download their vaccine record, including a unique QR code, and protect personal health information.

The government said businesses, organizations, post-secondary institutions and municipalities that require proof of vaccination “will be able to download a separate app to scan the QR codes to verify vaccination records without retaining or viewing any personal health information.”

by CKOM News