A screen grab of Premier Scott Moe and Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Saqib Shahab during Tuesday's press conference. (Facebook/Government of Saskatchewan)

By Alison Sandstrom

COVID-19

Moe and Shahab speak of ‘light at the end of the tunnel’ as public health measures extended

Feb 16, 2021 | 5:17 PM

Premier Scott Moe and Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Saqib Shahab spoke of a “light at the end of the tunnel” while urging compliance with public health measures that have now been extended through March 19.

During the Feb. 16 press conference, Shahab acknowledged that limits on inter-household and care home visiting are hard but restrictions need to remain in place for the time being.

“[We] need to protect those who are most vulnerable for the next few weeks and months until 50 and older have gotten vaccinated and ultimately all of us over the summer have gotten vaccinated,” he said. “This is the light at the end of the tunnel, but we do have to stay the course for the next four weeks with the current public health measures.”

Moe said vaccine delivery to Saskatchewan, which has been sluggish in recent weeks, is expected to start to ramp up in March.

“We need to stick this out just a little bit longer,” he said, noting the particular danger posed by new variants of COVID-19. “And keep our numbers trending down as we head for the finish line.”

No major injuries reported

Truck rolls after hitting snow plow on Highway 3

3h ago

Investigations

Increased police presence in Prince Albert Riverview neighbourhood

3h ago

historic mission

Space enthusiasts excited as Canadian set to circle the moon

3h ago

On the topic of vaccine delivery, Moe took aim at the federal government, saying that a decision to “hive-off” a portion of the next shipment of Moderna for the territories would result in around 1,000 people in Saskatchewan not receiving their second dose of the jab within the recommended 42 days of the first one.

Meanwhile Dr. Shahab said there was increasing evidence that there are no adverse affects associated with extending that time frame.

“If for whatever reason you can’t your second dose within 42 days of the first one, it’s fine to get it whenever it’s available, there’s no issue with that,” he said, noting vaccinations are routinely given three months apart in the United Kingdom.

–

alison.sandstrom@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @alisandstrom