The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) constantly models how the pandemic could affect the province and uses that data to advise the public about how to stay safe, the area medical health officer says.
The SHA uses the data to figure out what could happen in the future, how the pandemic could affect communities and how the coronavirus affects other provinces, Dr. Hortense Tabien told city council by video during the Sept. 21 regular meeting. The health authority is also closely monitoring the upcoming flu season, as it is worried about this fall's influenza combining with a second wave of the pandemic.
Tabien noted the province wants to prevent another lockdown if possible, while the health authority wants to ensure kids and adults are up-to-date on their vaccinations since that is an effective health measure to prevent infectious diseases.
“We know that ... the flu is very similar in symptoms to COVID,” she said.
Once SHA knows what the consequences of the pandemic could be, it then communicates with citizens about how to protect themselves, Tabien continued. Preventing the coronavirus is a collective effort that requires everyone to pull together.
Residents need to take further preventative measures to combat other diseases, including keeping up with safe sexual practices, she added. The Moose Jaw area has seen an increase in sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) during the pandemic, particularly syphilis.
Tabien provided data as of Sept. 17 of how many people in Saskatchewan the coronavirus had infected. There were 1,757 cases, with 263 related to travel, 875 due to close contact or mass gatherings, 520 due to unknown exposure or local transmission, and 99 under investigation.
In the south-central area — where Moose Jaw is located — there were 197 total cases, with 15 due to travel, 66 due to close contact/mass gatherings, and 110 due to unknown exposure/local transmission. The 197 cases represent about 11 per cent of the total provincial numbers.
While the overall numbers look stable, the SHA is starting to see them increase, Tabien said. She encouraged residents to take steps to prevent the pandemic from getting out of hand, including physical distancing, wearing a mask when distancing can't be maintained, washing hands regularly and not working while experiencing symptoms of illness.
“Be a good role model,” she added.
The SHA is rolling out plans to handle the surgeries and procedures that were cancelled or postponed early in the pandemic, Tabien said. However, the resumption of surgeries depends upon how Saskatchewan continues to handle the pandemic.
While the province's numbers are low, the virus is unpredictable and infectious, she continued. The cases the health authority reports every day are a reflection of what happened two weeks before.
“If we can keep it stable, things will go back to normal,” she added.
After the presentation, Coun. Brian Swanson indicated to council that they voted against making masks mandatory on buses. He thought that council had done a disservice to bus drivers by not forcing transit users to wear masks.
“We are asking them to roll the dice every time,” he remarked, pointing out most cities in Saskatchewan with transit have forced users to wear face coverings. He also didn't think council was following the recommendations from the health professionals.
There are plastic barriers in buses to protect riders and drivers, city manager Jim Puffalt replied.
Moose Jaw allows a limited number of people to ride the bus, just as Saskatoon and Regina have done, he continued. City administration does not want to move to standing-room yet, as that would put too many people together in one space.
Council then voted unanimously to receive and file Tabien's pandemic report.
The next regular council meeting is Monday, Oct. 5.
