Because of the outbreak of COVID-19 at the Saskatoon Provincial Correctional Centre, firefighters and Primary Care Paramedics with the Saskatoon Fire Department will provide limited medical services at the jail.

Chief Morgan Hackl says this will entail medical wellness checks for inmates which includes taking vital signs and when requested administering nasal swabs for COVID-19 testing.

The Fire Department says Correctional Centre staff made the request this week, for support of on-site medical staff, because self-isolation requirements due to the virus means there has been fewer Registered Nurses available to work.

Chief Hackl says protection of his staff and those they are in contact with will be maintained by using strict operational practices and a high level of PPE or personal protective equipment.