Far North sees seven new COVID-19 cases, certain restrictions eased on travel, prescriptions, health care

Of the 599 cases, 139 are travellers, 323 are community contacts (including mass gatherings), 69 have no known exposures and 68 remain under investigation by local public health.

Across the province 48 cases are health care workers, although not all may have sourced their infection from work. There are 226 cases in the Far North, 164 from the Saskatoon area, 106 from the North, 76 from the Regina area, 15 from the South and 12 from the central region.

There are 84 cases involving people aged 19 and younger.

There are 216 cases in the 20 to 39 age range, 182 in the 40 to 59 age range, 99 in the 60 to 79 age range, and 18 in the 80-plus age range.

Fifty-one per cent of cases are females and 49 per cent are males.

There have been six deaths related to COVID-19 in the province.

Up until now, the province has administered 41,606 tests for COVID-19.

Premier Moe says the target date for phase 3 of the re-open plan will be set in the coming days.

The target date will be two to four weeks from now, in June.

“Which would then allow us some time to review some of the testing results which are occurring with phase two of this opening, which is a substantial opening.”

Dr. Saqib Shahab says it’s important to maintain the same physical distancing and hygiene practices that have been in effect at grocery stores as more shops open today.

“It’s really important to go and get what you want, not browse and try out a lot of things, it’s very hard for businesses to then have to restock a lot of things. Minimize returns as well as much as you can.”

The latest numbers as of May 19. (submitted photo/SHA)

Amendment to Northern Travel Order

The public health order restricting travel to the Northern Saskatchewan Administration District has been amended to only apply to the northwest region. Travel to other areas of the North for commercial, domestic and recreational regions is permitted starting today.

The health order will now include clarity for northwestern community leaders, residents and checkpoint staff to allow locals to obtain essential goods and services while travelling for medical reasons.

The municipalities that remain under the current public health order that restricts non-essential travel are: Bear Creek, Beauval, Birch Narrows, Dene Nation, Black Point, Buffalo Narrows, Buffalo River, Dene Nation, Canoe Lake First Nation, Clearwater River Dene Nation, Cole Bay, Descharme Lake, Dillon, Dore Lake, English River First Nation, Garson Lake, Green Lake, Ile a la Crosse, Jan’s Bay, Lac La Plonge, La Loche, Little Amyot Lake, Michel Village, Patuanak, St. George’s Hill, Sled Lake, and Turnor Lake.

The list will be updated as public health monitors the transmission of COVID-19.

Prescription limits lifted

Effective tomorrow, the supply limits on prescription medications will be lifted.

The previous order limited prescription refills to one month in order to safeguard and prevent drug shortages.

“As we navigate the unknowns presented by COVID-19, ensuring the availability of medications for all Saskatchewan residents is a priority,” Health Minister Jim Reiter said. “Today, the drug supply is in a more stable position due to the actions of pharmacists, patients and other stakeholders in response to the prescription limits. We sincerely thank them for their support and understanding.”

While the drug supply remains stable, there remains a short supply of some drugs, such as salbutamol inhalers and certain sedatives and antibiotics. For those medications, pharmacists will use their judgment and dispense appropriate quantities, the province said.

Some health services resume

While still prepared to respond to the pandemic, some health services are resuming as a cautious first step to reopening the health system.

“It’s a delicate balance we begin today toward a ‘new normal’ while still responding to the realities of a global pandemic,” SHA CEO Scott Livingstone said. “Teams have and will continue to balance service resumption plans with the necessary health system capacity required for COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 patients; including the need for ongoing expanded testing capacity, long term contact tracing demands and maintaining the ability for the foreseeable future to surge to meet the requirements when localized outbreaks happen.”

Today marks the first day of phase one, meaning a few services will resume, including outpatient physiotherapy, kidney health services, lab services, home care and expanded immunizations.

Some areas of the province are prepared to resume services, while other are not, the province said. The public can also expect changes to health care appointments. The province said patients can expect adapted wait rooms to promote physical distancing, and an additional emphasis on virtual care if applicable.

Because there was a pause placed on non-urgent and elective surgeries two months ago, phase one will include an expansion of surgeries from three-week urgent to six-week urgent.

“A patient’s priority on the surgery list will be determined based on a clinical assessment by their physicians, in consultation with the patient,” SHA’s Physician Executive of Integrated Health Urban Dr. Rashaad Hansia said. “It’s not based only on the type of surgery needed. Given the complexity of the work involved to resume surgical services in as safe a manner as possible, we won’t see a significant increase right away. What we are seeing is surgeons working with their patients to assess their needs and determine who qualifies for the six week urgent category, then scheduling those for today and in the weeks ahead.”

Surgery bookings will depend on several considerations, including local outbreak status, capacity and requirements of public health orders.

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panews@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @princealbertnow

by paNOW Staff

Far North sees seven new COVID-19 cases, certain restrictions eased on travel, prescriptions, health care

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