The Saskatchewan Health Authority welcomed the news of Premier Moe declaring a state of emergency in the province, saying that it will help them be able to contain, delay, and mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in Saskatchewan.
Through the declaration, as of Monday the 23rd, the SHA will be discontinuing all non-urgent or elective surgeries, and everyone who can, will be working from home.
CEO of the SHA, Scott Livingstone says that these measures will allow them to redirect nurses and other staff to ensure all essential medical equipment is needed and help slow the spread of COVID-19 in hospitals.
Livingstone says that while the measures may be new, preparing for the unexpected is part of the SHA’s everyday job.
“Pandemic planning is part of what we do across the health sector,” said Livingstone. “We create plans that remain in place and have processes to review and update procedures as required in different points in time.”
He added that the SHA has been updating its pandemic plan since last year.
The plan is ever changing as the hypothetical becomes reality says Livingstone, adding that they are learning from how other countries are handling COVID-19 and implementing those lessons in Saskatchewan.
Livingstone says that having a singular health authority has made planning more effective.
“Having a single health authority has facilitated a more effective way for us to coordinate and manage a response across the system given the unpredictable nature of any pandemic,” said Livingstone. “Using a provincial lens, it is allowing us to respond in real time to what’s unfolding with COVID-19, shifting resources and supplies where we need them, and when we need them.”
Some of the other measures being taken by the SHA include restricting visitors in hospitals, unless they are immediate family visiting for compassionate reasons.
Livingstone stressed that the SHA only has enough resources to be able to fight COVID-19 properly if there is help from everyone in the province.
“No health system in the world can flatten the curve on the growth of COVID-19 without the help of the general public,” said Livingstone. “We thank the public for their support and patience as we work each day to adapt and respond to the changing health care needs associated with this virus.”
Anyone who has traveled is asked to self-isolate and self-monitor for 14 days upon their return, and if symptoms present themselves, call Healthline 811.
