SHA chief urges public not to avoid health care facilities

SASKATOON Saskatchewan health officials are reassuring patients that medical facilities are safe to visit despite recent COVID -19 outbreaks at two northern hospitals.

Saskatchewan Health Authority CEO Scott Livingstone said that while recent reports of staff and patients contracting the virus in hospital are concerning, the SHA has strong procedures to prevent this from happening and patients shouldn’t avoid seeking routine health care because of it.

“As scary as COVID has been and as quickly as it can jump, we also need to balance it out,” Livingstone said on Friday.

“The collateral damage that could be caused by not caring for people properly because we’re worried about COVID could be worse than COVID ever could be.”

Last week the SHA reported a cluster of 13 cases — five staff and eight patients — at Lloydminster Hospital had tested positive for the respiratory disease.

On Friday, the SHA also reported that a patient admitted to Victoria

Hospital in Prince Albert on April 21 for care unrelated to COVID -19 tested positive for the virus on April 29, after an earlier test came back negative.

On Monday, Livingstone confirmed that positive case was related to an ongoing outbreak in the La Loche area. While none of that patient’s contacts have since tested positive, 91 health care workers were identified as close contacts and had to temporarily self-isolate.

SHA chief medical officer Dr. Susan Shaw said Friday that an investigation into “what happened in Prince Albert” is ongoing. In the meantime, she said staff and patients at every point of entry to a health facility are being rigorously screened for COVID -19. She noted health care staff are often screened twice daily.

Emergency rooms also have drastically changed operations to improve infection protocols and reduce the risk of transmission.

Many “low-risk” medical services, like chiropractor and dentist appointments, are gradually resuming operations this week as the province’s reopening plan enters its first phase. The plan will not immediately come into effect in Lloydminster or La Loche because of outbreaks in those regions.

Shaw also noted that family physicians and walk-in clinics have consistently been available to provide care, over the phone or in person as required. The province’s 811 line is also available for general calls.

She said she is worried that some people are not seeking care, a trend observed around the world.

Her message to people who need care, including for chronic conditions is “When you think you need care, please, please come.”

As scary as COVID has been and as quickly as it can jump, we also need to balance it out.