SHA provides details on outbreak at Yorkton health-care centre

The Saskatchewan Health Authority has released more details about a COVID-19 outbreak that was declared at the Yorkton Regional Health Centre.

“The source of the outbreak in the hospital appears to be community transmission,” the authority said in a media release Monday. “Seventeen cases have been identified in the community including three health-care workers in the facility.

“All health-care workers who have been identified as close contacts with the confirmed cases are being tested as the contact investigation continues.”

The authority added the source of exposure is a local fitness facility shared by the contacts.

The release said services are still available at the health centre, but it noted visitation at the health centre and at the Yorkton and District Nursing Home will be limited.

As a result, family members and/or support people will be the only people permitted into those facilities and only for compassionate reasons.

Those situations include but aren’t limited to end-of-life care, major surgery, intensive care/critical care, maternal/pediatrics, long-term care residents whose quality of life or care needs aren’t being met, or inpatients and outpatients with specific challenges.

Those who are allowed into the facilities must be verified and must first undergo health screening, including a temperature check and a questionnaire.

“No other visitors are allowed into the hospital or long-term care home at this time and these enhanced restrictions will remain in place until further notice …,” the SHA said. “Outdoor visitation will continue where it is deemed safe to do so.”

The authority also suggested phone calls or online visits with those in the facilities.