Increased COVID-19 in Rosthern & Wakaw: visitor limitations in place

The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) is alerting the public of an increased risk of COVID-19 in Rosthern and Wakaw and is strongly urging Saskatchewan residents, especially those who are unvaccinated, to:

• Keep two metres away from others and wear a mask when in public.
• Limit gatherings.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Do not touch your eyes, nose, mouth or mask with unwashed hands.
• Stay home if you are unwell; seek health care services when you need help.
• Regularly monitor your health for any COVID-19 symptoms and get tested.

In order to keep everyone in SHA care spaces safe during this time, family presence/visitation is being restricted to Level 3 in the following:

• Rosthern Hospital
• Lakeview Pioneer Lodge

To understand details on what this level of family presence means for you, review the at-a-glance summary for acute care or for long-term care which also specify requirements for masking, screening and other safety measures. 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. The Saskatchewan Health Authority is asking the public for their support and cooperation in order to contain the spread of the virus.

These limitations are reviewed weekly but will remain in place until it is safe to return to the previous level of family presence. Family members and support people who are permitted must follow SHA guidelines for screening, personal protective equipment and physical distancing.

Detailed information about family presence during COVID-19 can be found at saskhealthauthority.ca.

All members of the public are reminded of the following:

• COVID-19 is transmitted through coughing and sneezing (aerosol and 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.
• Get vaccinated: At this time, the risk of contracting COVID-19 is not determined by age but by immunization status. The data is clear that the best way to protect yourself, your loved ones and your community from serious illness and death is to be fully immunized.
• 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.
• Get immunized once it’s available to you.

Protect Yourself Today!

The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) is strongly encouraging all Saskatchewan residents 12 years of age and older to be immunized with both doses. COVID-19 variants are continuing to develop and spread, and are more transmissible than the initial COVID-19 virus. Vaccines are proving to be effective in protecting individuals from serious illness against these variants, and high vaccination rates in our province will help curb the spread.

Visit a participating pharmacy in your neighborhood or one of our pop-up clinics to be immunized.

Finish the fight – and get immunized today!