(Lisa Schick/980 CJME file photo)

By 650 CKOM News

Saskatchewan changing PCR test eligibility, COVID reporting practices

Feb 3, 2022 | 12:14 PM

Saskatchewan is changing the way it’s managing COVID-19.

While public health measures such as mandatory masking, self-isolation and proof of vaccination will remain in place for the time being, the provincial government is reducing access to PCR testing to priority populations and is decreasing the number of times per week it issues COVID updates.

“The Omicron wave requires a shift in public health management of the pandemic in Saskatchewan,” the government said in a media release Thursday. “The outbreak and case management protocols that were effective in previous waves of the pandemic in identifying and limiting transmission are no longer as effective with the speed of Omicron’s transmissibility.

“Public health strategy and resources must be realigned to focus on those at highest risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes.”

As a result, starting Monday, all PCR testing will only be available by appointments made through HealthLine 811. The online appointment booking system for tests will be discontinued, with walk-in and drive-thru testing sites also to be discontinued in the coming weeks.

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Saskatchewan Health Authority PCR testing will be reserved for populations deemed to be at an elevated risk for severe outcomes, including:

• Hospitalized patients, those admitted or transferred between acute, long-term care or personal care homes
• High-risk populations as ordered by the medical health officer: residents in long-term care, personal care homes and congregate living facilities; and international or travellers from areas of concern
• Priority symptomatic persons: health-care workers or essential workers who have a negative rapid antigen test but remain symptomatic; those with chronic illness (diabetes, history of cancer, cardiac failure, etc.)
• Symptomatic people living or working in First Nation and Métis communities
• Surgical patients with symptoms or a positive rapid antigen test if scheduled or expecting to receive surgery within the next 90 days
• Pregnant patients who are symptomatic and more than 30 weeks gestation
• Symptomatic immunocompromised individuals including all transplant donors and recipients prior to and post-transplant; all oncology patients prior to, receiving or post chemotherapy
• Newborns born to COVID-19-positive parents, prior to discharge.

Health-care workers and workers deemed essential under the current public health order with negative rapid antigen results who remain symptomatic will be eligible for PCR tests.

Anyone who needs a PCR test for travel, insurance claims including potential Workers’ Compensation Board claims, or in lieu of proof of vaccination will have to buy a test from a private lab service provider.

The government noted the rest of the population can use rapid antigen tests. More than four million have been requested from the federal government for each of February and March.

As well, public health will shift resources to focus on outbreak management in settings where the risk of severe health outcomes is highest, including acute care, long-term and personal care homes, correctional facilities and congregate living settings including shelters and group homes.

“While outbreaks related to public mass gatherings/events, places of worship, workplaces, daycares, and educational settings will no longer be investigated, these venues and organizations will continue to be supported by local public health with transmission mitigation planning and standard surveillance protocols,” the government said.

As for notifying the public, the government said COVID surveillance “will now align with reporting for other communicable diseases.”

Starting Monday, epidemiological information will be reported weekly on Thursdays. The provincial COVID dashboard will be discontinued in the coming days.