The Saskatchewan Health Authority is stepping in and taking over day-to-day operations at Parkside Extendicare after the company requested it.

The long-term care home in south Regina has been hit with a major outbreak that has seen 11 deaths with 141 residents and 58 staff having already tested positive with many other workers self isolating.

“We requested additional assistance from the Saskatchewan Health Authority when it became clear that our team at Extendicare Parkside needed more help to manage the COVID-19 outbreak,” said Extendicare’s regional director Ron Parent in a release. “We welcome and deeply appreciate the support we are receiving from the SHA and are grateful that they have agreed to engage with our home more directly. Together we will be in a stronger position to deliver the level of care our residents need while we clear the virus from the home as quickly as possible.”

The agreement will last 30 days with the option for the SHA to renew it for another 30 days if the need is there.

Meanwhile, it was revealed on Wednesday that five residents from Parkside who had tested negative and were transferred over the weekend to Pioneer Village has now tested positive.

Minister for Seniors, Everett Hindley, says he does not believe those positives have resulted in those who are residents at Pioneer Village catching the virus.

“That’s obviously a major concern, so all the necessary measures would be in place right now to do whatever we can to limit the spread to further residents there,” Hindley told reporters at the Saskatchewan Legislature.

More details on the arrangement between Parkside and the SHA are coming on Thursday.