Mayor Charlie Clark is concerned about COVID-19 variants in Saskatoon.

Clark says he knows the pandemic has felt like a roller-coaster, but the city is asking people to hold out just a little bit longer while vaccinations continue.  Clark addressed people who haven’t being following the restrictions, saying this is causing tension and concern in the community.  Clark acknowledged the difference between people who can’t stay home and people who won’t stay home, “it’s the people who won’t stay home, and who aren’t following public health orders who are risking the lives and the health of the people who can’t stay home.  The people who can’t stay home are the people who are out on the front-lines right now.  Whether they are working in grocery stores, or doctors offices, or within our hospitals and health systems, police and front-line workers, they are sacrificing their health to keep our community functioning and safe.”

Clark says the variant trend is going in the wrong direction and it is time to double down.  The mayor explains the reality is the city can’t implement a lock-down or take additional measures, as that is up to the province, but he is asking residents to go above and beyond the current restrictions during the weeks ahead.

Saskatoon’s Medical Health Officer says COVID-19 variants of concern do not respect jurisdictional boundaries, they move with people.  Dr. Jasmine Hasselback says she has seen a remarkable response from the community so far in recognizing variants are here.  However, while Saskatoon didn’t see the variants take over in a week or ten days, like in other areas of the province, recent trends are hitting that tipping point.  “We are a variant of concern city.  It is more likely at this time that you will be exposed or infected with a COVID-19 variant than the old fashion one,  that was already challenging enough, and we are still seeing situations that could have been prevented where transmission has occurred.”