Indoor gathering restrictions needed to curb COVID-fueled health crisis: Sask. Health Authority doctor
CBC
Saskatchewan is in its worst public health crisis since the pandemic started and must limit indoor gathering sizes to combat the fourth wave, according to a physician overseeing rural health.
Dr. Kevin Wasko, physician executive for integrated rural health with the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA), told CBC Saskatchewan's Morning Edition that the current public health order mandating masking indoors isn't enough to curb the province's deadly fourth wave.
He said Saskatchewan's vaccination rate, which is the lowest among Canadian provinces, and looming cooler weather driving people indoors will add fuel to the COVID surge ravaging the province.
"We will have more cases, we will have overrun hospitals. We will have people dying from COVID," Wasko said.
"I think we need limitations on gathering sizes, particularly indoor gatherings."
Wasko said a vaccination rate of 85 per cent for the total population, not just those 12 and older, will be needed to slow the pandemic. Currently, about 72 per cent of Saskatchewan residents 12 and older are fully vaccinated.
Higher vaccination levels can be achieved by educating those fearful or uninformed about the vaccine, Wasko said.
This story is a collaboration between the Investigative Journalism Foundation and CBC Saskatchewan.
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