The Saskatchewan Health Authority’s CEO says the age of hospitalized patients is changing due to COVID-19 variants.
Scott Livingstone says of sixty people currently in Regina hospitals due to COVID-19, thirty-nine have tested positive for variants of concern. Livingstone adds this includes fifteen of sixteen people currently in ICU. “What else is changing for the system with the variants is age. Of the 35 ICU admissions in the last month in Regina only a single individual has been over the age of 70, and half of the last ten ICU admissions were for those under the age of 40.” Livingstone states the SHA has opened an additional twelve ICU beds in Regina to account for increasing COVID-19 demands.He adds this is also a reminder that the demand for healthcare services on all fronts does not stop because of the COVID surge.
Livingstone states that testing demands have increased due to variants, and expanded testing hours have been applied at the Regina drive-thru site. The SHA projects a peak of 1900 tests a day being done at that drive-thru site alone, in the coming days.
Chief Medical Health Officer Warns of Travel to and From Regina
Saskatchewan’s Chief Medical Health Officer says recent measures introduced in Regina, will be very important for case numbers in the province’s capital. Dr. Saqib Shahab says he expects with more testing happening, cases will likely rise in Regina over the next week or two before stabilizing and then coming down. Shahab states while the bulk of variant cases are in Regina, increases in other parts of the provinces are occurring as well. “Weyburn and area, and Moose Jaw and area is seeing an increase in case numbers and variants of concern. So this just reinforces that while we have significant measures in Regina right now, all of us, all throughout Saskatchewan should continue to observe everything we’ve been doing. Be very cautious, even around things like household bubbles.”
Shahab says variants and measures are changing plans around the Easter break, and it should be that way. He says physical distancing in indoor spaces, including worship services will be absolutely critical. Especially, Shahab adds, people should not leave or come to Regina while current measures are in place.
