Saskatchewan’s Premier says we are in a different phase of the pandemic with the Omicron variant which is much more contagious but appears to be milder. Scott Moe says following guidance from the Chief Medical Health Officer, there are some changes when it comes to testing and quarantining.
Effective immediately, if you don’t have any symptoms and you test positive using a rapid test, you will no longer be recommended to have that confirmed with a PCR test. If you are fully vaccinated, the requirement is to self-isolate for five days, which is a reduction from the previous ten days, but if you aren’t fully vaccinated, self-isolation is still ten days. Moe says in either case, you will still have to notify and close contacts, who must isolate for 14 days from the date of last exposure, unless they are fully vaccinated and don’t have any symptoms.
If symptoms develop, get a PCR test.
PCR testing is still recommended for anyone with symptoms, and priority populations like health care workers, long-term and personal care home residents and those who care for vulnerable populations.
Moe understands this mean COVID cases could go unreported, but he says the emphasis on reporting from the government is changing from daily case rates to hospitalizations and ICU admissions. The Saskatchewan Health Authority will also begin reporting how many hospitalizations due to COVID are from patients who came to the hospital with the virus and those who came for something else and tested positive once they arrived.
Chief Medical Health Officer, Dr. Saqib Shahab’s recommendations for safe New Year’s Eve gatherings remain the same as they were for Christmas. They include keeping your home gatherings small with up to ten people from two to three households. If you choose to celebrate at a restaurant, bar, or other public venue, a reminder you still need to wear a mask in all public spaces when not at your table, and you must provide proof of vaccination or a negative test. Know before you go – take a rapid test ahead of any gathering, even if you are vaccinated. Free rapid testing kits for asymptomatic screening at home are available throughout Saskatchewan. Don’t host or attend a gathering if you feel unwell. Seek testing for even the mildest cold or flu-like symptoms, regardless of your vaccination status.
