Saskatchewan sets May 30th to begin reopening plan
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Saskatchewan says the first phase of lifting public health restrictions, including those in Lloydminster, is set to begin on May 30th.
The province says this phase can begin because over 70 per cent of Saskatchewan residents above the age of 40 have gotten their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine. This was the first of three targets set in the re-opening plan, with a three week buffer from the date the vaccine target is met to the date the phase will begin, as outlined by the province.
On May 30th, the limit on indoor and outdoor private gatherings will be brought back up to ten, outdoor public gatherings to 30. At places of worship, they’ll be allowed to welcome back 30 per cent of attendees, or 150 people maximum. Masking mandates will remain in place during this phase, however.
- Battleford Central School (one case) - Macklin School (three cases) We are working closely with Public Health staff to ensure necessary measures are in place to protect all students and staff. Any individuals who were in close contact have been notified with directions. Following the division’s health and safety protocols, the schools have received a deep cleaning/sanitizing. Due to higher numbers of individuals either self-isolating or self-monitoring at Macklin School due to COVID 19 exposure, the decision has been made with the Regional Medical Health Officer to move Macklin School to level 4 effective April 29. Level 4 restrictions will be in place until Thursday May 13, at which time public health will re-evaluate. Under the Safe Schools Plan, level 4 is a transition to alternative learning opportunities. This means that Macklin School students will be engaging in full-time compulsory off-campus learning. Regular curriculum will continue to be taught during this time
Saskatchewan issues warning on hantavirus, caused by infected deer mice April 27, 2021
Hantavirus is contracted by breathing in contaminated airborne particles from the droppings, urine and saliva of infected deer mice. (Government of Saskatchewan)
Saskatchewan’s Ministry of Health is reminding residents to take precautions against hantavirus as the weather warms up.
“The risk of contracting hantavirus infection is currently low in Saskatchewan,” Deputy Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Julie Kryzanowski said in a press release. “However, you can get hantavirus by breathing in contaminated airborne particles from the droppings, urine and saliva of infected deer mice.”
Hantavirus can cause a rare but potentially fatal lung illness known as hantavirus pulmonary syndrome and exposure most often occurs when cleaning up enclosed buildings, or equipment and vehicles that have been in storage for the winter.
Ministry of Health advises hantavirus precautions during summer season
SHARE ON: A photo of a deer mouse, which has been known to spread hantavirus. [Ministry of Health, supplied]
With the weather warming up and critters roaming again, the Saskatchewan Ministry of Health is encouraging hantavirus precautions.
The disease is found in contaminated airborne particles from the droppings, urine and saliva of infected deer mice. It can be caught by accidentally breathing in these particles, and can lead to Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, a lung illness that can be severe or even fatal in some cases.
While the risk of catching Hantavirus in Saskatchewan remains low, many people will be cleaning up enclosed buildings, or equipment and vehicles that have been in storage for the winter, where these different bodily fluids can be found.
(Lara Fominoff/650 CKOM file photo)
The latest change to age eligibility for AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine in Canada may not make much of a difference to Saskatchewan’s rollout right now.
On Friday, the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) recommended that doses of AstraZeneca be offered to anyone over the age of 30. It previously had suggested that vaccine only be given to people over the age of 55 due to concerns about blood clots.
Saskatchewan’s Ministry of Health responded to Friday’s new recommendations by saying it’s going to review them before making any changes to its current plan.