Sask. Opposition, health policy analyst question government Omicron strategy
CBC
The Saskatchewan Opposition and a health policy analyst are expressing concerns about the provincial government's strategy dealing with the more transmissible Omicron variant of COVID-19.
Chief medical health officer Dr. Saqib Shahab released new modelling on Tuesday, showing that without additional health measures, the province's daily case count will surpass 300 in one month.
The same modelling showed with measures like reduced population mixing, average cases would be lower than 50 per day.
Shahab said the government would not be implementing additional measures to deal with the potential spread of the Omicron variant, instead, it would need to respond to a sudden surge.
"As long as it is not impacting the health system, the aim is not to prevent every single case but to keep case numbers manageable and to prevent a sharp sudden spike."
Shahab said he would recommend a 50 per cent reduction in capacity in public places, if a spike happens.
"We obviously can't be in a state of lockdown continuously, at some point we have to emerge from the pandemic and at this point, we have to be proportionate," he said. "We have to be quick, we have to be nimble with Omicron we can't take weeks to make decisions. Decisions have to be made in hours to days once we start seeing a surge."
But Saskatchewan sits on an island in its response to Omicron when compared to all other provinces that have introduced or enhanced measures, specifically related to gathering limits in public and private places.
On Tuesday, B.C. announced no indoor organized gatherings of any size, including weddings, receptions and parties. It closed bars, nightclubs, gyms, fitness centres and dance studios. Concerts, sporting events and movie theatres moved to 50 per cent capacity.
Personal gatherings are limited to the household plus 10 guests or one additional household if it's larger than 10 guests. Everyone in the house must be vaccinated.
Alberta announced on Tuesday it was reducing capacity as well, including at the upcoming World Junior Hockey Tournament and Calgary Flames games.
It also limited social gatherings to no more than 10 adults.
Saskatchewan Opposition Leader Ryan Meili said Tuesday's modelling shows: "Saskatchewan is set to face a dramatic spike in hospitalizations and ICU admissions."
Meili said the government has a chance to "get ahead" of the wave.
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