Forty-two of the 44 residents of Lakeview Pioneer Lodge in Wakaw have tested positive for COVID-19 and two people have died.
The official opposition is condemning the government for failing to keep seniors safe. Health Critic Vicki Mowat says, “Premier Moe and the Sask. Party have known the risks this pandemic poses to seniors for months. Their weak response has been a problem for nearly a year, resulting in multiple care home outbreaks in recent weeks.”

Mowat says the Sask. Party failed to act on years of concerns about short-staffing, crowding and infrastructure issues at the Lakeview Pioneer Lodge, brought to their attention in CEO tour reports.
She says the Provincial Auditor condemned the government for its lack of oversight of affiliate care homes, calling for improved accountability, and calling for the province to start to regularly inspect long-term care homes. Of the recommendations first made in 2017, Mowat says 5 still have not been implemented.

New Democrats are calling for key measures to be implemented in Long Term Care, including:
• A public inquiry at Parkside Extendicare in Regina
• Hire the 300 Continuing Care Aides announced in the Throne Speech now, not later.
• Introduce a standard of no more than two residents per room
• Undertake in-person inspections at every long-term care facility and make the results of those inspections public
• Implement all the 2017 recommendations of the Provincial Auditor for increased provincial oversight of affiliate care homes