Visitor limitations in place at Prince Albert Victoria Hospital

The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) is alerting the public of an increased risk of COVID-19 at the Prince Albert Victoria Hospital and is strongly urging Saskatchewan residents, especially those who are unvaccinated, to:

• Keep 2 metres away from others when in public and wear a mask.
• 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.

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:

•  Fifth and Sixth Floors, Victoria Hospital

For more details on levels of family presence, review the at-a-glance guides for acute care and long-term care. 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. In addition, the current policy that requires mandatory masking for all visitors and staff at SHA facilities also remains in effect.

These limitations will be reviewed in two weeks 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 (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 deadly and 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, book an appointment at an SHA clinic, or visit one of our drive-thru, walk-in or pop-up clinics – there are many options available to be immunized.

Finish the fight – and get immunized today!