when the world went back to normal for many people, it stayed the same for wayne nogier.
he’s the ceo of prince albert’s mont st. joseph home, one of roughly 40 long-term and personal care homes in saskatchewan that have reported covid-19 outbreaks over the last month.
nogier worries this will become more common in the coming months as yet another covid-19 wave is expected to strain the province’s long-term and acute care systems.
“we need to remind people that this isn’t over,” he said. “we need their help to find the balance.”
on thursday, the province released a report showing covid-19 infections, hospitalizations and outbreaks are on the rise.
an internal saskatchewan health authority report says of aug. 15, an average of more than 19 covid-19 patients are admitted to hospital each day, which the sha deems “high risk.” it says about 250 people with covid-19 were in hospital as of aug. 15.
dr. cordell neudorf, a university of saskatchewan epidemiology professor and an interim official at the sha, said there’s concern about what a fall resurgence of covid-19 and other respiratory viruses could do to a strained health care system.
dr. saqib shahab, the province’s top public health official, has asked people to consider wearing masks indoors and to get whatever covid-19 vaccine they are eligible for. the province made all adults eligible for their fourth dose this week.
dr. cory neudorf is a professor of community health and epidemiology at the university of saskatchewan and the interim senior medical health officer with the saskatchewan health authority.
matt smith
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saskatoon starphoenix