Be Vigilant: COVID-19 Variants of Concern (VoC) increasing

The Saskatchewan Health Authority is encouraging all Saskatchewan residents to be vigilant, get tested if you have symptoms and get immunized when eligible, especially now as COVID-19 Variants of Concern (VoC) continue to appear in areas across our province.

VOCs mode of transmission (aerosol droplets and on shared surfaces) and the symptoms are the same as the original strain of COVID-19 virus. However, evidence indicates that these variants of concern are 70 percent more transmissible, meaning it spreads more easily. Older residents and those with underlying health conditions continue to be those at greatest risk of severe illness and death.

The SHA encourages you to stay safe tonight with St. Patrick Day’s activities, as well as during other special occasions, by remembering the following:

• Support local eateries with take-out and curbside pick-up.
• Remember that only up to 10 individuals may gather outside with appropriate distancing and no sharing of food or drink.
• If you are planning to go to a venue, please only go to one.
• Remember that all restaurants and licensed establishments must be following the guidelines at www.saskatchewan.ca/covid19-establishments. 

The current variant strains in Saskatchewan are B1.1.7 (first identified in the United Kingdom) and B1.351 (first identified in South Africa). All current COVID-19 testing in Saskatchewan will detect all variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

The latest location and numbers regarding VOC are posted daily on saskatchewan.ca/COVID19 under Cases and Risks of COVID-10 in Saskatchewan.

Regina and Area Residents

Those living in and around Regina are asked to take additional precautions in light of increasing community transmission of COVID-19 Variants of Concern (VoC) in the area (as well as an increase in new daily cases and total active cases). The majority of Saskatchewan’s VOCs are currently active in Regina and area, and residents are strongly encouraged to do the following:

• Only gather indoors with your immediate household. In particular, for those that are over the age of 50, you should consider NOT increasing your household bubbles to include 2-3 households up to 10 people.
• Limit travel and shopping to essential only.
• Opt for take-out and curbside pick-up.
• Stay home with even mildest symptoms. Stay home if you have been in contact with anyone with mild symptoms.
• Get tested if you have symptoms or have been exposed to someone with symptoms.
• Continue practicing physical distancing, frequent handwashing and wear a mask when in public places.

Finally, for both COVID-19 and VOCs, the SHA asks all Saskatchewan households to remember:

• COVID-19 is transmitted through coughing and sneezing (droplet transmission), and by touching surfaces with the virus on it and then touching your mouth, nose or eyes before washing your hands.
• Memorize and recognize the symptoms:  fever, cough, headache, muscle and/or joint aches and pains, sore throat, chills, runny nose, nasal congestion, conjunctivitis, dizziness, fatigue, nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite (difficulty feeding for children), loss of sense of taste or smell, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing. Stay home if you have symptoms and monitor yourself.
• Get tested: Learn more about testing and regularly take the online self-assessment at Saskatchewan.ca/COVID19. Call HealthLine 811 or your physician for a referral or visit your local drive-thru testing site.
• Care for yourself and others: Anyone at any age can contract COVID-19. Be kind to each other and to health-care workers.
• Download the COVID-19 Alert APP: The Health Canada COVID Alert app is available to all Saskatchewan residents at no cost in the Apple and Google Play app store. The app is another tool available to help prevent the transmission of COVID-19 by letting people know of possible exposures without sharing any personal information. For more information, visit the COVID-19 Apps webpage.