Here are some highlights from Tuesday鈥檚 latest COVID-19 news conference with Premier Scott Moe and chief medical health officer Dr. Saqib Shahab.
The main news to come out of the news conference is that the current public health measures, which were to expire April 5, have been extended to April 12.
He urged people to follow the public health orders so 鈥渨e can drive our case numbers down without increasing our restrictions further in our community, or extending the already increased restrictions we already have in place in the community of Regina.鈥�
Another piece of news from the media conference is that the increased restrictions currently in effect in Regina have not been extended yet to Moose Jaw or Weyburn, even though they are also seeing increasing cases due to variants of concern.
Premier Moe expressed confidence that the current measures in place will be enough.
鈥淚 believe we will be able to get our case numbers under control in the few communities where they are increasing, without further restrictions, but we all need to do our part. We all need to follow the guidelines and practises put forward, we need to be diligent at this point in time and follow them to a 鈥楾鈥� so we can hinder the spread of COVID-19.鈥�
Dr. Shahab said they were 鈥渧ery concerned鈥� about the cases in Regina and in other jurisdictions of Moose Jaw, Estevan and Weyburn. He said everyone in Saskatchewan should look at the COVID-19 map of cases on the province鈥檚 web site map at least once a week, and urged people to follow the guidelines. He also described Moose Jaw鈥檚 numbers as 鈥渧ery concerning鈥� but not on the same level as Regina.
Still, Dr. Shahab said he supported comments from the mayor of Moose Jaw, Fraser Tolmie, that residents there should act like they are in Regina, by ordering more takeout and being cautious about household bubbles and indoor gatherings. 鈥淢oose Jaw is on red alert and has to be watched very closely.鈥�
As for Regina, Dr. Shahab noted there was a 鈥渟ilver lining鈥� in that the test-positive numbers are coming down, a sign that the measures there are having an initial effect. But 鈥渨e have to stay the course,鈥� he said, and if required more measures could be brought in. 鈥淚t takes everyone in Regina to comply.
Regarding the vaccine rollout, Moe noted 184,000 shots have been delivered into the arms of Saskatchewan residents, the highest rate in the nation, and that three quarters of people over 80 and nearly half of those over 70 have received their first dose. Letters have gone out to 25,000 extremely vulnerable residents on how they can book their appointments by phone. Thousands have already booked their appointments.
The vaccines have slowed down a little this week as the province waits for their next shipments of Moderna and AstraZeneca, but it will 鈥減ick up again and it鈥檚 going to pick up again very quickly.鈥�
Over the next two weeks, the province expects 180,000 doses to be delivered in Saskatchewan, which Moe said means more appointments, drive thrus and age groups will be opening up.
There is also a drop again in the age requirement. Starting Wednesday, those 60 and over can book their appointments.
It was also noted that a new ad campaign had recently launched to promote getting vaccinated, asking Saskatchewan residents to 鈥渟tick it to COVID鈥�.
In the meantime, Moe urged everyone to keep following the public health orders and guidelines.
Dr. Shahab also stressed the importance of getting vaccinated. As for the recent guidance that the AstraZeneca vaccine has been suspended for use on those under 55, due to concerns about blood clotting, Dr. Shahab pointed out they had recently had a successful program of delivering AstraZeneca to those 58 and over in Regina.
鈥淚 have no doubt that as we speak today AstraZeneca is protecting people in their 60s in the city of Regina.鈥�
Dr. Shahab added that all vaccines including AstraZeneca remain very safe, and they have had no reports of adverse events. The vaccine will continue to be offered to those 55 and over.
