The Saskatchewan Health Authority says it is prepared for the first phase of reopening some everyday health services as of Tuesday, after the long weekend. CEO Scott Livingstone believes it’s the right time. He says one sign is the number of people coming back to the larger hospitals because of flare ups of chronic conditions. Usually, those with diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure for example, have their health services in the community, but those were shut down when COVID-19 hit.
More people with chronic conditions are needing to be admitted to hospital, so Livingstone says that fine balance of managing the virus has to continue along with opening up services for non-emergency health conditions.
One of the responses to the COVID-19 outbreak in La Loche has been to close down the liquor stores in the area as of last weekend.
It was a decision by the La Loche Council. Because of that, the Saskatchewan Health Authority has launched a Managed Alcohol Program to help those with chronic alcohol addictions. CEO Scott Livingstone says going into withdrawal can have severe health consequences, so regulated doses are provided to keep things on an even keel.
The Far North has had more cases of COVID-19 that any other area of the province. As of Tuesday, there have been 2020 confirmed cases in the Far North, 163 in the Saskatoon area, 105 in the North, 76 from the Regina area, 15 from the South and 12 in the Central Region.
Because some communities are in the midst of outbreaks, the resumption will vary across the province. The Effective Reproductive Number is the average number of people someone who has the virus is likely to infect at this time, and Saskatchewan is below 1 at 0.75, which means the virus is being managed effectively through physical distancing and increased hygiene practices. In the north and the far north, the number is 2.13, so the restrictive measures will remain in place.
The 19th is also the day that Phase 2 begins for opening Saskatchewan’s economy with retail stores and malls able to open if the protocols and guidelines are followed. The same goes for personal services like hair stylists and barbers, registered massage therapists, acupuncturists and acupressurists.
