The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) reminds residents to continue to access available emergency departments (EDs) and hospitals for the care patients need. Local EDs and hospitals remain safe places for individuals to go for acute care services.
Hospital emergency departments (EDs), cancer services, and urgent and emergent medical imaging (x-ray) and surgical services continue to be provided. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) also continue to meet patient needs.
If you feel unwell and think you require urgent or emergent care, call 911 or go to a hospital emergency department. Medical professionals are there to care for you, just as they were before the COVID-19 pandemic.
The SHA has taken precautions to ensure a safe and protected care environment for all patients. Among the steps we have implemented are enhancing screening of patients to ensure the right precautions are being taken, increased cleaning of the care environment and equipment, and limiting visitors and public use of SHA facilities.
EMS Services are also taking all necessary steps to eliminate spread of the coronavirus during care. This includes proper cleaning of the ambulance and its equipment, use of proper personal protective equipment, and enhanced patient screening.
Patients can access their family physician or community clinic for everyday health needs.
Assessment and treatment sites for COVID-19 are in place at locations across Saskatchewan to reduce in-person visits to Emergency Rooms, other primary care clinics and physician clinics. These sites provide in-person care, assessment and treatment for individuals presenting with escalating symptoms consistent with COVID-19, those confirmed positive with COVID-19 who have other health conditions, or those in self-isolation due to travel or a public health directive.
Official testing sites are open in 38 Saskatchewan communities (including Weyburn and Estevan in the southeast) with assessment sites open or opening soon in 27.Testing for COVID-19 is available by referral onlyand not for walk-in testing.
The public is reminded that visitors are not permitted in SHA-operated hospitals, clinics, community and continuing care facilities, except for compassionate reasons. Compassionate reasons may include immediate family during end-of-life care, family of patients prior to a major surgery or visitors aiding in clinical care (at the discretion of the patient’s care provider).
