The only issue in debate in the Saskatchewan legislature on Monday centred around COVID-19. The NDP says the response to the pandemic is a disaster and Leader Ryan Meili demanded better planning, notably around senior citizen complexes like Parkside Extendicare in Regina, which has over 90 cases. He says, “residents are dying alone in their rooms” and suggests that staff are working twelve hour days, seven days a week with not enough staff to attend to all the needs of residents.

Seniors and rural health minister Everett Hindley says extensive support is being provided to Parkside through the Saskatchewan Health Authority. Twenty-five Parkside residents have been temporarily transferred to Pioneer Village and are in isolation. He adds the Saskatchewan Health Authority is providing extensive support to Parkside, including a review of PPE and infection control protocols. An occupational health specialist is supporting these measures, Hindley says, and two SHA managers are supporting daily rounds with the residents. (CKRM)