The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) has implemented visitor limitations for healthcare facilities in southeast Saskatchewan, as well as in Regina and Moose Jaw, due to a rise in variants of concern.
Family presence and visitation is being restricted to Level 3 palliative/end-of-life care in those areas.
Level 3 family presence means that two family/support members can be present at the same time for end-of-life care only. One essential family/support person can be designated to assist with care if needed (self-care, mobility, nutrition and behavioural needs).
Additional family presence can be supported for the specific circumstances, including critical care, intensive care, maternal, postpartum or pediatric units.
No other visitors are allowed into the specified facilities or homes at this time. The SHA says these limitations will remain in place until it is safe to return to the previous level of family presence and will be reviewed in two weeks.
Family members and support people who are permitted must undergo a health screening prior to entering the facility or home. This includes a temperature check and questionnaire. The family member or support person will be required to perform hand hygiene (hand washing and/or use of hand sanitizer) when entering and leaving the facility or home, and when entering and leaving the patient's or resident’s room.
Family members and support people will be required to wear a medical grade mask while inside the facility or home, and potentially additional personal protective equipment. Family members and support people are not permitted to wait in waiting rooms or other common areas, and movement in the facility/home is to be kept to essential movement only.
In the southeast, these restrictions took effect on April 1 at 5 p.m. at facilities in Estevan, Arcola, Carlyle, Carnduff, Gainsborough, Lampman, Midale, Oxbow, Redvers, Stoughton, Weyburn, Balcarres, Bengough, Broadview, Fillmore, Fort Qu’Appelle, Indian Head, Kipling, Maryfield, Montmartre, Moosomin, Radville, Wawota, Whitewood and Wolseley.
These restrictions also took effect April 1 at 5 p.m. at all hospitals and long-term care homes in Moose Jaw.
In Regina, these restrictions affect at the Regina General Hospital and Pasqua Hospital, effective April 2 at 8 a.m.
The Level 3 restriction is already in place at all long-term care homes in Regina, Emerald Park, Lumsden and Cupar.
In a news release, the SHA says the decision to restrict family presence is not taken lightly. These measures are in place to keep the public, their loved ones and health care workers safe. The Saskatchewan Health Authority is asking the public for their support and co-operation in order to contain the spread of the virus.
Detailed information about family presence during COVID-19 can be found at saskatchewan.ca/covid19.
