COVID-19 testing will soon be available to any Saskatchewan resident working outside the home, particularly those returning to work as part of the Re-Open Saskatchewan plan.
The following at-risk populations will be proactively tested:
- All patients upon admission or in advance of a planned admission to an acute care hospital for a stay anticipated to be greater than 24 hours. This includes all expectant mothers entering a health facility to give birth;
- Immunocompromised asymptomatic individuals, including cancer patients in advance of undergoing immunosuppressive procedures such as chemotherapy;
- All health staff working with immunocompromised patients; and
- Mobile (worksite) testing in high volume work settings (factories, industrial settings, etc.)
This is in addition to current testing requirements for:
- All residents identified by public health as a contact of someone known or suspected of having COVID-19;
- Individuals identified by public health at a high risk due to active spread of COVID-19 in their workplace or community;
- All residents upon admission and re-admission to long-term and personal care homes; and
- All residents and staff in long-term and personal care homes upon notification of a COVID-19 positive resident or staff member.
The Saskatchewan Health Authority will establish the process to start testing this expanded list. Details on accessing testing will be provided the week of May 18.
In addition to expanded testing, the Saskatchewan Health Authority will increase active case finding in populations that are homeless or live in other vulnerable settings, and work will continue on increased active case finding with First Nations and Métis communities. Public Health will continue to identify and test individuals who are at high risk of infection due to spread of COVID-19 in their household, community or workplace.
If widespread transmission occurs in a community, a community-wide testing initiative would be implemented. The Roy Romanow Provincial Laboratory currently has the capacity to complete 1,500 tests daily, as required. All residents experiencing even mild COVID-19 symptoms are encouraged to contact 811 about being tested.
If you are experiencing symptoms of fever, cough or shortness of breath, contact HealthLine 811 or your family physician for advice on whether you should be tested for COVID-19. You can also take the online self-assessment at www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19.
