COVID-19 case numbers are trending upwards in the province, and Saskatchewan’s Chief Medical Health Officer calls this concerning.
Dr. Saqib Shahab says new modelling projections for the next couple of weeks, show cases could reach as high as 800 per day if there is poor compliance regarding public health orders or below 200 a day if public health measures are complied with. He says the other concerning thing is that modelling in December showed with measures at that time had case numbers trending down, right now however, the modelling shows with current measures the province would be lucky to maintain the status quo, and numbers are not trending down.
Dr. Shahab says this is something we need to think about, in terms of residents can do to push the curve down and what further measures are required to reduce transmission. Shahab states that even if 5-10% of residents don’t adhere to public health measures, the province could easily see 1500 to 1600 cases a day.
Read more about the latest modeling here:
Epi Modelling Update Jan 14, 2021
Update on Vaccinations
Phase 1 of Saskatchewan’s vaccination roll-out will be approximately 50% short of fully immunizing high priority populations. That according to data released Thursday by the province.
When asked about the implications of this, Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Saqib Shahab says the plan will continue but some people may now be receiving their second doses in March. He says once they can see that everyone in the first priority group has completed their first doses, the second doses may continue into March, but then they will be able to start first doses for other priority groups at that time.
Shahab explains uptake in long-term care residents has been extremely high, and that is great. He believes that will put more pressure on vaccine suppliers and that is what they want to see.
Saskatchewan Health Authority CEO Scott Livingstone says the shortfall doesn’t change the vaccine program, and they will still get as many first doses, in as many individuals in vulnerable groups, as quickly and as safely as they can.
The SHA provided detailed updates the vaccination roll-out here:
