The declaration of a COVID-19 outbreak is used by Public Health to mobilize and coordinate a response to the infection. It is not necessarily an indicator of risk to the public. In its latest list, outbreaks have been declared in the Maidstone RCMP Detachment, and in Regina at : Careica Health, SaskTel Head Office, and Golden Oaks Boarding.

The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) is concerned about escalating COVID-19 activity in Regina and is urging residents to follow public health measures and personal safety precautions to prevent the spread of the virus.

The Authority says family presence and visitation is being limited to compassionate care reasons only in all Regina SHA Acute Care facilities. The restrictions will be reassessed in 14 days.

Compassionate care reasons may include, but are not limited to, family or support persons during end-of-life care, major surgery, intensive care/critical care, maternal/pediatrics, long-term care residents whose quality of life or care needs are unmet or those inpatients and outpatients with specific challenges.

No other visitors are allowed into the specified facilities or homes at this time and these limitations will remain in place until it is safe to return to the previous level of family presence.

Family members and support people who are permitted must undergo a health screening prior to entering the facility or home. This includes a temperature check and questionnaire. The family member or support person will be required to perform hand hygiene (hand washing and/or use of hand sanitizer) when entering and leaving the facility or home and when entering and leaving the patient’s or resident’s room. Family members and support people will be required to wear a medical grade mask while inside the facility or home and potentially additional personal protective equipment if required. Family members and support people are not permitted to wait in waiting rooms or other common areas.