Skip to content

SHA latest update: more support for health workers and long term care residents

Saskatchewan Health Authority provided their weekly update on COVID-19 on Tuesday, and once again their remarks reiterated familiar messages and themes from the organization. Some new initiatives were announced at the latest news conference.
COVID-19
The latest on COVID-19.

Saskatchewan Health Authority provided their weekly update on COVID-19 on Tuesday, and once again their remarks reiterated familiar messages and themes from the organization. 

Some new initiatives were announced at the latest news conference. SHA CEO Scott Livingstone told reporters they were beginning a harm reduction strategy in La Loche called the Managed Alcohol Program.

It is designed at supporting minimized transmission of COVID-19 and provides regulated doses of alcohol to program participants as a way to address problems associated with severe alcohol dependencies. This is being launched by both the SHA and community leaders in La Loche.

Livingstone added that their outbreak management continues at Lloydminster and Meadow Lake where they continue to make progress. In Lloydminster Hospital testing has been almost completed and there are no new cases in the last five days. There is still one positive case associated with the Meadow Lake Hospital, and the outbreak was declared over at Prince Albert Victoria Hospital last week.

Reviews will be conducted on all SHA hospitals where there was an outbreak and this will be a standard response at all SHA facilities. Outbreaks in the province are now posted on the province’s COVID-19 website.

Livingstone again stressed the importance of social distancing, and noted the SHA’s focus remains on contact tracing and testing, which are deemed critical to limit the outbreak in the province.

Livingstone said the SHA are also strengthening their virtual visitation strategy for long term care residents. This effort received a boost last week, he said, when Westcap Management Ltd. donated iPads to help keep families and residents connected virtually.

Also announced was strengthened supports for health care workers through a mental health worker support line. The line was launched May 4 and runs 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. seven days a week. This program is to complement others that are already in place.

Dr. Julie Kryzanowski senior medical officer of SHA, urged people to continue social distancing, washing hands and continuing to follow public health orders.

She also expressed concerns about people being stigmatized during the pandemic, and expressed concern people might not seek testing as a result.

“The fact is this virus is extremely contagious. Anyone could get it, young and old alike,” she said.