The approaching Thanksgiving weekend was very much on the mind of Dr. Saqib Shahab at his regular COVID-19 provincial update from Regina.
The Saskatchewan chief medical health officer urged people, going into the fall and Thanksgiving, to reassess their household, shrink it to immediate family if possible and reduce gatherings if they do get together, and follow the guidelines to keep the event safe.
“We can see the pressures on other jurisdictions across Canada and the world, and we must learn from them to keep our own case numbers lower,” said Dr. Shahab.
Recent cases in the past three or four weeks, said Dr. Shahab, had been in several clusters and had included some situations of events links to large gatherings — situations where the guidelines may not have been followed as they could’ve been, he said.
PA gospel event cluster
Dr. Shahab discussed the most recent outbreak situation at a gospel gathering that took place in Prince Albert in September and October.
He called this event “of particular concern” and said we could expect to see more COVID-19 cases in the North and Far North as a result. He urged all those who attended the gospel event to seek testing and remain isolated for 14 days, as this was “critical to prevent further transmission from that event”.
According to Dr. Shahab there were six new confirmed cases and five cases under investigation directly linked to this event, but he expected those numbers would rise.
He noted public health reaches out quickly to anyone who was at the event and to ensure anyone who is symptomatic is tested.
“By detecting cases early, the cases can isolate and close contacts can isolate and that is the true and tried and tested way of breaking chains of transmission,” said Dr. Shahab.
When asked if the SHA might implement fines, Dr. Shahab only said public health was working with the organizers of the event. Their first priority, he said, was to contact everyone who participated and that everyone get tested or self-isolate if symptomatic.
Dr. Shahab said up to now they have not seen problems from places of worship as they have “generally been diligent” about virtual services, mask use, refraining from singing and so on. He said that has helped keep numbers low, with only sporadic cases.
Dr. Shahab also confirmed something that Premier Scott Moe had mentioned during his campaign stop in North Battleford earlier that same day — that some cases at the Prince Albert event had been linked to interprovincial travel.
He confirmed initial investigation suggested there were some participants at the event — not too many, a few, he said — who came from Alberta and also from Winnipeg, Manitoba. As they get more information, that will be shared with Alberta and Manitoba to follow up and ensure participants are isolated and the symptomatic are tested.
Hockey coming soon
There was some encouraging news for hockey fans from the news conference.
Dr. Shahab noted that the Saskatchewan Hockey Association would be releasing guidelines soon for hockey, with a phased-in approach that would allow games to begin this month and increase as it is safe to do so.
“While there will be sporadic cases in people who participate in hockey, just like in school or in workplaces, we have not seen any widespread transmission associated with sports. That is especially because everyone is following the guidelines and rules in place and that will be essential as we move forward to pay attention to those guidelines.”
