Health officials in Saskatchewan are opening up coronavirus testing, saying as of Monday anyone who works outside the home will be able to get a COVID-19 test — even if they aren’t showing symptoms.
“We have fairly low COVID activity and that’s where we want to keep it,” Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Saqib Shahab said Wednesday as officials released an extensive list of who can be tested, including people being admitted to health-care facilities, people who are immunocompromised and the homeless.
Saskatchewan has reported seven deaths to date. The province has reported 620 coronavirus cases, with 494 of those cases considered recovered, with most new cases in the north and far north regions.
The shift in Saskatchewan comes as hard-hit Ontario and Quebec continue to face questions about ramping up testing.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford said Wednesday he’s shocked by the recent drop in COVID-19 tests in the province. The province reported Wednesday that the number of tests completed in the previous day was just 7,382. On Tuesday, it was 5,813 and it was 9,155 on Monday — well below the approximately 17,000 per day that had been completed in the days before that.
Health Minister Christine Elliott said criteria for members of the public have been expanded so that anyone with symptoms can get tested, and the province is now looking to focus on retirement homes and other group living settings.
“We’re looking at solutions for that and how we can get teams in there quickly and do that testing to make sure that we really understand what’s happening in the community,” she said.
Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada’s chief public health officer, recommended on Wednesday that people in areas with COVID-19 wear masks when they are in spaces that don’t allow for proper physical distancing. The mask guidance is meant to supplement existing public health measures like handwashing, cough etiquette and physical distancing, Tam said, as she explained the shift.
“Use of non-medical masks or face coverings is recommended as an added layer of protection when physical distancing is difficult to maintain,” said <a href=”https://twitter.com/CPHO_Canada?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>@CPHO_Canada</a> Dr. Theresa Tam. <br><br>Read more: <a href=”https://t.co/uLesDCpdln”>https://t.co/uLesDCpdln</a> <a href=”https://t.co/BHchoxWELd”>pic.twitter.com/BHchoxWELd</a>
As of 7:30 a.m. ET on Thursday, there were 80,142 confirmed and presumptive coronavirus cases in Canada, with 40,789 of those cases considered recovered or resolved. A CBC News tally of deaths based on provincial coronavirus reports, regional health data and CBC’s reporting stood at 6,136.
The novel virus, SARS-CoV-2, first emerged in China in late 2019 and has since spread around the world, causing devastating outbreaks, straining health systems and causing massive economic disruptions. The virus causes an illness called COVID-19, and while researchers are searching, to date there are no proven treatments or vaccines.
Here’s what’s happening in provinces and territories
British Columbia’s premier says he wants the federal government to take the lead on the issue of paid sick leaveso workers can stay home if they are sick — but he added that the province is “prepared to go it alone if need be.” Read more about what’s happening in B.C.
WATCH | How health care could change with virtual triage, paramedics:
As COVID-19 forces a hard look at parts of Canadian health care, Adrienne Arsenault gets a first-hand look at a virtual triage system being piloted by paramedics in eastern Ontario. 7:52
Manitoba will allow outdoor gatherings of up to 50 people and indoor gatherings of up to 25 as of Friday, health officials said, though physical distancing measures will need to be in place. Read more about what’s happening in Manitoba.
Ontario reported 390 new cases of coronavirus on Wednesday, bringing the provincial total to 23,774, with 18,190 considered recovered or resolved. The province has seen 2,067 deaths, according to CBC’s case tracker. Read more about what’s happening in Ontario.
Critical care physician <a href=”https://twitter.com/drmwarner?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>@drmwarner</a> is raising concerns about Ontario’s COVID-19 contact tracing.<br><br>”I’ve spoken to family members of patients who have COVID in my ICU two or three days after they have been diagnosed, and they are asking me when public health is going to call them” <a href=”https://t.co/Zplnwk5Hxq”>pic.twitter.com/Zplnwk5Hxq</a>
New Brunswick’s premier said he is considering easing up the province’s ban on temporary foreign workers as employers face a labour shortage. “If we don’t fill the roster in the next few days … then there will be the decisions made to ensure we meet the needs,” Blaine Higgs said. Read more about what’s happening in N.B.
WATCH | Travel bubbles considered for regions with low COVID-19 cases:
Some regions with low COVID-19 cases, including some Canadian provinces, are considering creating so-called travel bubbles to allow people to move freely within those areas, but experts say the concept has many flaws. 1:59
Prince Edward Island’s premier said Wednesday that seasonal residents will be allowed to start coming into the province beginning June 1. They will have to provide a written plan of how they will self-isolate for 14 days, Dennis King said. Read more about what’s happening on P.E.I.
WATCH | Bolsonaro minimizes COVID-19 surge in Brazil, promotes hydroxychloroquine:
The number of coronavirus cases is surging in Brazil, but President Jair Bolsonaro continues to minimize the situation. Bolsonaro is also advocating the use of hydroxychloroquine, an unproven treatment also promoted by U.S. President Donald Trump. 2:01
VANCOUVER – Canadian pop icon Nelly Furtado has been named one of three headliners for the opening ceremony of the upcoming Invictus Games.
Furtado, from Victoria, will share the stage with alt-pop star Roxane Bruneau of Delson, Que., and American singer-songwriter Noah Kahan.
They’ll be part of the show that opens the multi-sport event in Vancouver and Whistler, B.C., in February.
The Invictus Games sees wounded, injured, and sick military service members and Veterans compete in 11 disciplines.
The Vancouver Whistler 2025 Games will be the first of seven editions to feature winter adaptive sports, including alpine skiing, Nordic skiing, skeleton and wheelchair curling.
British Columbia’s Lower Mainland will host the Invictus Games from Feb. 8-16.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 19, 2024.
PORT ALBERNI, B.C. – A tribal council representing 14 First Nations along the west coast of Vancouver Island is declaring a state of emergency over the opioid crisis, which is killing their members and leaving others with mental health struggles.
Judith Sayers, president of the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council, says not enough is being done and the nations need help from governments and health authorities to devise their own solutions for fight what she calls a “war on trauma” in dealing with the colonial past.
Figures from the First Nations Health Authority show Indigenous people died from drug poisonings at more than six times the rate of other B.C. residents last year.
Sayers says First Nations need funding to support overwhelmed workers in their communities and to build detox and rehabilitation centres.
Chief Councillor Ken Watts of the Tseshaht First Nation says not enough is being done, and British Columbians should ask candidates running in this October’s provincial election, what they plan to do to help.
Sayers says a meeting was held with government and health officials to discuss the concerns and another meeting is being planned with the federal government.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 19, 2024.
