Visitor limitations at all SHA facilities, care homes in Saskatoon

Visitation is being limited at all Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) facilities and care homes in Saskatoon.

According to the alert sent out on Tuesday, COVID-19 activity is escalating in the city.

The SHA said family presence/visitation is being limited to compassionate reasons only in order to keep everyone in its facilities and care homes safe during this time.

The restrictions are in effect at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 21 and will be reassessed on Nov. 3.

“The decision to restrict family presence is not taken lightly. These measures are in place to keep you, your loved ones, and health care workers safe,” read the SHA statement.

“Compassionate care reasons may include, but are not limited to, family or support persons during end-of-life care, major surgery, intensive care/critical care, maternal/pediatrics, long-term care residents whose quality of life or care needs are unmet or those inpatients and outpatients with specific challenges.”

Family members and support people who are permitted in the facilities and care homes must undergo a health screening, SHA said.

1:26 Active coronavirus cases continue to reach new heights in Saskatchewan

Questions about COVID-19? Here are some things you need to know:

Symptoms can include fever, cough and difficulty breathing — very similar to a cold or flu. Some people can develop a more severe illness. People most at risk of this include older adults and people with severe chronic medical conditions like heart, lung or kidney disease. If you develop symptoms, contact public health authorities.

To prevent the virus from spreading, experts recommend frequent handwashing and coughing into your sleeve. They also recommend minimizing contact with others, staying home as much as possible and maintaining a distance of two metres from other people if you go out. In situations where you can’t keep a safe distance from others, public health officials recommend the use of a non-medical face mask or covering to prevent spreading the respiratory droplets that can carry the virus. In some provinces and municipalities across the country, masks or face coverings are now mandatory in indoor public spaces.

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