The current situation regarding COVID-19 is one where the public needs to remain particularly diligent in its action to prevent the disease and its spread.
That was the clear message from Dr. Ashok Chhetri, Medical Health Officer, Saskatchewan Health Authority in Yorkton in an interview Monday.
The great concern at present are variant strains of COVID getting a foothold, and Chhetri said they are being seen in the east central area, not that variants of viruses are that unusual.
鈥淎ll the viruses do change or mutate from time-to-time,鈥� he explained.
In some cases the changes are rather insignificant, and other times changes become more concerning.
鈥淭here are three variants of concern in Canada,鈥� explained Chhetri, adding that the variants of concern are generally 鈥渕ore transmittable.鈥�
In Saskatchewan the so-called 鈥楿K鈥� variant is currently of greatest concern as it is 鈥�40 to 70 per cent鈥� more transmittable than the initial strain of COVID-19, offered Chhetri.
In addition, variants can be 鈥渕ore severe,鈥� he said, adding they are seeing that across all ages.
With the initial COVID-19 virus for younger people 鈥渋t was not that severe,鈥� said Chhetri, but with variants they are seeing younger people facing 鈥渄ire consequences.鈥�
鈥淲e do have variants of concern (in the East Central region),鈥� he said, adding in the past seven days 鈥�50 per cent (of cases) are the variant of concern.鈥�
Chhetri said the transmission remains the same, person-to-person droplets being a prime way, but with the variant the likelihood of a person catching the virus is increased.
So, people need to continue to do the things that have been outlined by health officials for months now, wearing a mask, washing their hands, and staying as isolated as possible, especially from longer-person-to-person interactions.
鈥淒o everything you can to reduce close contacts ... It鈥檚 all the preventative measures,鈥� said Chhetri, adding people just need 鈥渢o be more vigilante.鈥�
The vigilance is a key to protect the general health care system for everyone, because with more transmittable variants more people are at risk of getting COVID, and with variants being more severe, more patients need hospital care and that puts a strain on Intensive Care Units, said Chhetri.
鈥淚t is concerning in Saskatchewan,鈥� he said, adding they are seeing a wider range of ages requiring intensive care with the arrival of variants of concern.
Chhetri said there is concern the capacity in the province鈥檚 ICUs could be overwhelmed if infection numbers continue to be high.
There is however, some good news.
With the variants currently circulated in Saskatchewan at this time, the vaccines being given 鈥渁re still effective on them,鈥� said Chhetri.
Chhetri also noted that all three types of vaccines available in the province are not only effective against variants, but safe to take.
鈥淭hey鈥檙e equally protective,鈥� he said, adding while people will need a second dose, with one, after 14 days, they will have good protection for up to four months.
That said Chhetri added people should not assume that because they are vaccinated that they can鈥檛 in some cases carry the virus, or pass it to others, because at to-date that data is just not known.
鈥淭here鈥檚 a small chance you could still be a carrier,鈥� he said.
So, even the vaccinated need to follow protocols at this point.
