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1. Case Definitions
Case Definitions are now included in the Saskatchewan Communicable Disease Manual chapter on COVID-19.
Note: Surveillance case definitions for the purpose of standardized case classification and reporting to the Public Health Agency of Canada are not intended to replace clinician or public health practitioner judgment in individual patient management, or intended to be used for the purpose of infection control triage.
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2. Contact Definitions
Contact Definitions are now included in the
Saskatchewan Communicable Disease Manual chapter on COVID-19.
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3. Testing Criteria
Changes to testing criteria (March 25, 2020) prioritize groups at highest risk of local exposure. Changes to testing criteria (April 3, 2020; June 10, 2020) expand testing recommendations to include priority populations and indications for testing asymptomatic persons.
Testing is recommended for: Persons with symptoms (of any severity) compatible with COVID-19.
Testing is available for: Persons without symptoms (asymptomatic) requiring or requesting testing for screening.
Testing is prioritized for:
- Persons requiring intensive care for severe acute respiratory illness – order STAT ICU
- Persons hospitalized for acute respiratory illness – order STAT Acute
- Residents of congregate living situations with respiratory symptoms (including long term care facilities, personal care homes) – order STAT LTC
- Health care workers and first responders (paramedic, EMS, fire, police, correctional services) with respiratory symptoms – order STAT HCW
- Students, volunteers, persons employed and children in an educational facility (including early years learning) or child care centre (daycare) with respiratory symptoms – order STAT SCHOOL
Note: Health care workers (HCW) is defined as:
- SHA practitioners and staff working within SHA facilities;
- licensed health care professionals working in community settings;
- staff and volunteer caregivers working in congregate living situations (including long term care and personal care homes); and
- staff employed in blood collection centres involved in the collection and distribution of the blood supply chain.
Note: Criteria will be routinely reviewed and updated based on epidemiology. Testing >48 hours after symptom onset will minimize false negative test results but should not be delayed if testing will change individual patient management.
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4. Clinical Management of Test Results
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5. Self-Isolation and Self-Monitoring
Self-Isolation
Persons are required to self-isolate immediately if:
- International travel with arrival in Canada within the last 2 weeks;
- Case – whether Person Under Investigation (PUI), Confirmed or Probable;
- Close Contact to a case of COVID-19 – with or without symptoms compatible with COVID-19;
- Non-Close Contact – with symptoms compatible with COVID-19.
Self-Monitoring
Persons are required to self-monitor if:
- Non-Close Contact to a case of COVID-19
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6. Notifications and Reporting
Final results of COVID-19 testing from RRPL are reported to the Ordering Physician as indicated on the requisition.
As a disease of public health significance, all positive results are reported immediately to the local MHO/Public Health Unit.
MHO/Public Health Unit may contact the Ordering Physician for information to inform case and contact investigation.
Per the Saskatchewan Communicable Disease Control Manual, Physicians are required to notify MHO/Public Health Unit immediately if:
- Persons hospitalized with severe acute respiratory illness (SARI);
OR - Persons Under Investigation (PUI) or cases involve congregate living situations (including long term care facilities, personal care homes and correctional facilities) including health care workers, staff or other caregivers.
- Information required:
- Symptoms – fever, cough, difficulty breathing, headache, myalgia, other;
- Travel history – destination, home community, current location in Saskatchewan;
- Contact history – if known;
- HCW – occupation, employer;
- Disposition.
These recommendations are developed and reviewed by the Senior Medical Health Officer with Provincial Clinical Departments of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Family Medicine and Laboratory Medicine and provided with the support of the provincial Chief Medical Health Officer.
Please note that guidance will continue to be updated as situation evolves within Saskatchewan and across Canada, and based on evidence and best practice.
*Reference: www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19
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