Submitted
The Saskatchewan Health Authority is encouraging all Saskatchewan residents to be vigilant, get tested if you have symptoms and get immunized when eligible, especially now as COVID-19 Variants of Concern (VoC) continue to appear in areas across our province.
VOCs mode of transmission (aerosol droplets and on shared surfaces) and the symptoms are the same as the original strain of COVID-19 virus. However, evidence indicates that these variants of concern are 70 percent more transmissible, meaning it spreads more easily. Older residents and those with underlying health conditions continue to be those at greatest risk of severe illness and death.
The SHA encourages you to stay safeÌýtonight with St. Patrick Day’s activities, as well as during other special occasions, by remembering the following:
- Support local eateries with take-out and curbside pick-up.
- Remember that only up to 10 individuals may gather outside with appropriate distancing and no sharing of food or drink.
-If you are planning to go to a venue, please only go to one.
-Remember that all restaurants and licensed establishments must be following the guidelines atÌý.Ìý
The current variant strains in Saskatchewan are B1.1.7 (first identified in the United Kingdom) and B1.351 (first identified in Â鶹ÊÓƵ Africa). All current COVID-19 testing in Saskatchewan will detect all variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
The latest location and numbers regarding VOC are posted daily onÌý³Ü²Ô»å±ð°ùÌý
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