Province signals move to a living with COVID-19 strategy
Saskatchewan’s evolving pandemic strategy is looking ahead towards a living with COVID-19 phase.
During a media briefing on February 3, the province highlighted their transitioning strategy which will switch to monitoring and manage COVID similar to other respiratory viruses.
“At some point COVID will also be managed just like other notify diseases,”saskatchewan’s Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Saqib Shahab said during last Thursday’s briefing.
“Our response to COVID will evolve. It will be under Public Health and Communicable Control regulations. But I think at some point in the future a decision will have to be made by government on how long should current Public Health orders continue.”
This public shifting to a self-management of COVID-19 approach still requires individuals to self-monitor, self-test, and seek support from primary health care as required.
Dr. Shahab highlighted that existing Public Health measures are having an impact on Omicron transmission, but after the Omicron case peak he suggests that most Omicron cases can be effectively self-managed.
“At the moment everything that we are doing as Saskatchewan residents is having an impact. Not just observing orders, but all the others things that we do in terms of own risk assessment and our choices,” Dr. Shahab said.
“The situation is changing,” he said. “We can see the trajectory we are on. We were maybe one of the last provinces to enter the Omicron surge.”
“It was different for us than other provinces. We can see the trajectory, which is that likely our numbers have peaked, but we still need to stay the course with everything we’re doing, including adherence to the current orders that are in place at this point until end of February.”
“We know that even though our transmission has peaked, our hospitalization may continue to increase by a week or two weeks and then start coming down. But based on the epidemiology, based on these other factors, I think certainly my advice will continue to evolve.”
Effective back on Monday, all PCR tests must be arranged via Healthline 811, as a management strategy begins a focus on priority populations.
“If you’re older, as we presented today, you should go for a PCR test because you may need adjustment to your treatment or you may eligible monicornals or anti virals.”
“Studies that have come out over the last couple of weeks especially to Omicron, show that two doses protect against symptomatic infections, but that protection starts waining after three months, and by six weeks you have very little protection, about 10 per cent against minor infection. And even your protection against hospitalization starts waining after four months, especially if you’re older and if you have risk factors.”
He also suggested that people at high risk have an action strategy if they are exposed to COVID and test positive. Additionally, he said people should look at the eligibility criteria for Paxlovid and monoclonal antibody infusion treatments.
“You should have a plan that at the first sign of symptoms or concern how will you seek testing, will you go for Rapid Antigen testing. You are already prioritized for PCR testing that you can get through 811. And then how will you get access to antivirals through your primary care physician.”
“I think all of us at high risk should do their homework in advance so that if we need antivirals they have to be used within five days, the earlier the better. We should have a quick plan.”
“We should be ready to access that because that will be important because the population at high risk of hospitalization… even in long term care we have seen reducing hospitalizations because the booster doses are protecting populations in long term care, for the most part it’s mild illness. But the population at high risk who are eligible for antivirals we should all know our risk and continue to observe cautions when you’re out and about.”
Dr. Shahab also stressed the importance of vaccinations and booster shots as Saskatchewan appears to near its Omicron peak.
“Now booster doses remain critical to prevent severe outcomes. There’s some impact for up to 10 weeks, three months in reducing your risk of acquiring and transmitting COVID, but certainly the vaccines were designed to prevent severe outcomes not to on their own prevent transmission. And that’s where throughout our surges, even while we’ve had vaccines, mask use and other preventative measures have been critical, as well as isolating as you’re sick.”