The Saskatchewan Health Authority is alerting individuals travelling to and from, and living in, Prince Albert and area of an increase in COVID-19 illnesses in the community, and is urging Saskatchewan residents to follow public health measures and personal safety precautions to prevent the spread of the virus, including physical distancing of 2 metres, frequent hand hygiene and self-isolating if you’re sick.
As a result of an increased number of people who have tested positive for COVID-19 in the Prince Albert area, visitation will be restricted at Victoria Hospital and long-term care homes, including Herb Bassett Home, Pineview Terrace and Mont St. Joseph Home. This means family members or support people will only be permitted for compassionate reasons. No other visitors are allowed into the facilities at this time and these enhanced restrictions will remain in place at Victoria Hospital and long-term care homes in Prince Albert until further notice. The Saskatchewan Health Authority is asking the public for their support and cooperation in order to contain the spread of the virus.
Compassionate Care Visitation
Compassionate care reasons may include, but are not limited to, family or support persons during end-of-life care, major surgery, intensive care/critical care or a care partner aiding in clinical care (at the discretion of the patient's care provider). Detailed information about Compassionate Care can be found at saskatchewan.ca/covid19.
Family members and support people who are permitted under these exceptions must be verified and undergo a health screening prior to entering the facility or home. This includes a temperature check and questionnaire. The visitor will be required to perform hand hygiene (hand washing and/or use of hand sanitizer) when entering and leaving the facility or home and when entering and leaving the patient's or resident’s room. Visitors will be required to wear a medical grade mask while inside the facility or home and potentially additional personal protective equipment if required. Visitors are not permitted to wait in waiting rooms or other common areas.
Under no circumstances should you visit if you have respiratory, gastric or flu-like symptoms (e.g., common cold, diarrhea, vomiting) or if you have travelled outside of Canada in the past 14 days.
All community, foundation and other public and spiritual gatherings in Victoria Hospital and long-term care homes in Prince Albert remain on hold effective immediately until further notice. Services provided by community volunteers who are 65 years of age or older in non-essential service areas are also suspended.
Virtual Visiting
We acknowledge the importance of family support to those who are healing within our hospitals and residents of long-term care homes. However, we are asking families and visitors for their cooperation in following these restrictions. Until we are able to safely allow visitors back into our health care facilities and long-term care homes, we encourage you to consider other ways to stay connected with your family members or friends in our hospitals and long-term care homes, such as phone calls or online means of communication. We encourage families to consider virtual visiting through electronic applications such as FaceTime, Skype and WhatsApp. We are asking families and visitors for their co-operation in following these restrictions.
COVID-19 Testing
SHA is encouraging all provincial residents to seek testing if you are experiencing symptoms and is reminding everyone that testing is available for anyone who currently works outside the home and is being admitted to acute care for more than 24 hours, including expectant mothers and individuals who are immunocompromised.
If you are experiencing symptoms of fever, cough, shortness of breath, headaches, aches and pains, sore throat, chills, runny nose or a loss of your sense of taste or smell, contact HealthLine 811, a nurse practitioner or your family physician for advice on whether you should be tested for COVID-19.
You can also take the online self-assessment at saskatchewan.ca/COVID19.