The first COVID-19 vaccine shipment to Yorkton has taken place.
Calling it "Phase I" of a vaccine roll-out, Janna-Lea Yawney, interim Director of Acute Care at the Yorkton Regional Health Centre said Wednesday with the arrival this week "some of the staff at the Yorkton Regional Health Centre will receive the vaccine Thursday and Friday."
In addition, planning and training for a broader vaccination program covering "the rest of the staff and public is ongoing," said Yawney.
At the same time an outbreak of COVID-19 is ongoing at the YRHC, confirmed Yawney in an audio file supplied to Yorkton This Week by the Saskatchewan Health Authority.
As of Wednesday, Yawney said there were 90 cases involved in the outbreak including patients, staff and secondary contacts (people outside the facility in contact with someone testing positive at the facility).
By comparison there were 46 cases a week ago, said Yawney.
The situation has put pressure on local staff, with some having COVID-19 and being off work, meaning others are filling in, covering additional shifts, said Yawney, adding they are working "in a stressful environment."
To help staff deal with the stress peer support from and SHA team has been provided, said Yawney, with staff indicating they "find it very useful" and has thus been "well-utilized."
While the Health Centre remains in the midst of an outbreak, Yawney said they are still offering services to the public.
"We are working very diligently to contain and minimize any other transmissions of the outbreak," she said.
Yawney said the focus remains having a safe environment from patients, staff and visitors.
Yawney also encouraged people needing hospital services to seek them. She said people "should feel comfortable and confident to come and get those services."
