Record COVID-19 hospitalizations in Sask.; Opposition New Democrats demand briefing
There are more people in Saskatchewan hospitals with COVID-19 than at any other point in the pandemic.
The province says there are 417 people in hospital with the infection, including 25 in intensive care.
Of those hospitalizations, 160 people were admitted due to the virus, 225 tested positive at the hospital while being treated for other reasons, and 32 are under investigation.
The previous record was set on Feb. 17 when there were 410 people in hospital with COVID-19.
In light of the high numbers, NDP Opposition Leader Ryan Meili is urging the government to resume public COVID-19 briefings with Dr. Saqib Shahab, the province’s chief medical health officer.
Shahab last appeared at a briefing on Feb. 8 with
Premier Scott Moe.
“Workers on the front lines recognize our health system is in crisis and are demanding action from this government,” Meili said in a statement Thursday. “Scott Moe’s plan to ignore the COVID-19 pandemic until it goes away has devastated our health system.”
Meili also called on the Saskatchewan Party government to resume daily reporting of cases, hospitalizations and intensive care admissions.
The government did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Saskatchewan announced a new treatment option Thursday for people who test positive to help keep them out of hospital.
Remdesivir, an intravenous antiviral that stops the virus from multiplying in cells, is now available for outpatient treatment.
Those eligible include the immunocompromised and adults who are not fully vaccinated.