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Almost half of Sask. resigned to catching Omicron despite taking safety measures

Three in four residents know someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 within the past two weeks
omicron alert
48 per cent of us agree that regardless of what we do, it's likely just a matter of time before we catch the Omicron variant.

SASKATOON — Almost half of Saskatchewanians are resigned to catching the Omicron variant, according to Insightrix Research Inc.

The research company's weekly update on how Saskatchewan feels about the pandemic indicates 48 per cent of us agree that regardless of what we do, it's likely just a matter of time before we catch the Omicron variant.

But quite a few also feel they can avoid it. Thirty-eight per cent agreed that given the prevantative measures they are taking, they think they'll be able to avoid catching Omicron.

Eleven per cent said they were not sure and three per cent aren't taking any preventative measures and don't believe they will catch it.

In another set of results, respondents reacted to the questions, “Do you personally know anyone who's tested positive for COVID-19 within the past two weeks?” Most have.

Seventy-seven per cent said yes.

Of those, three per cent said it was themselves, five per cent said it was someone in their household, 29 per cent said it was a family member not living in their household, 26 per cent said it was a co-worker, 25 per cent said a close friend, and the remainder, 51 per cent, said it was other people they knew, such as acquaintances, clients, friends of a friend, etc.

About one-half of respondents have reportedly taken a COVID-19 test within the past two weeks, most commonly an at-home, self-administered rapid antigen test. Insightrix says the frequency of self-testing is likely tied to the fact that three in four residents know someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 within the past two weeks.