Sask. top doc signals he has recommended additional COVID-19 measures to provincial government
During a news conference on Tuesday, Saskatchewan Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Saqib Shahab appeared to give his clearest indication yet that he has recommended additional COVID-19 measures to the government.
Since implementing a province-wide mask mandate in September and requiring proof of vaccination or a negative test result in some settings as of Oct. 1, no further preventive measures have been introduced.
In an Oct. 21 letter to Health Minister Paul Merriman, 21 medical health officers working in the province called for measures including a 28-day limit on private gathering sizes similar to what was in place during the early stages of Saskatchewan's reopening plan "with some modifications for the fully immunized population."
During a news conference Tuesday afternoon, Shahab said the proposed steps outlined in the letter are "closely aligned with many recommendations" he's made to the government.
"Certainly those are all important steps that we should consider," Shahab said.
The letter also asks that proof of vaccination of rules be expanded and negative test results should no longer be accepted as a substitute in some locations.
While he has encouraged people in the province to limit their social circles, Shahab has not publicly disclosed any of his specific recommendations to the Saskatchewan government.
Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) modelling data shows without temporary gathering limits, COVID-19 related ICU admissions could soar later this year, eclipsing the current levels which have resulted in patients being transferred out of province for care.
Earlier this week, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said he wasn't open to introducing additional public health measures.
"We don't think it's right to impose those sweeping orders or sweeping restrictions on all people when the vast majority of people in this province kind of went out and done the right thing and they have received their vaccine," Moe said.
Moe also cited the recent decline in newly reported coronavirus cases.
On Tuesday an SHA official told CTV News that a simultaneous decline in testing may mean new COVID-19 cases are underreported.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Most of Canada to receive emergency alert test today
The federal government will test its capacity to issue emergency alerts today, with the exception of Ontario, where the test will take place on May 15.
'A huge difference': These adults born in the '90s partnered with their parents to buy homes in Ontario
An Ontario woman said it would have been impossible to buy a house without her mother – an anecdote that animates the fact that over 17 per cent of Canadian homeowners born in the ‘90s own their property with their parents, according to a new report.
OPINION No reunion between Prince Harry and the King signifies a setback for royal unity
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Northern Ont. woman makes 'eggstraordinary' find
A chicken farmer near Mattawa made an 'eggstraordinary' find Friday morning when she discovered one of her hens laid an egg close to three times the size of an average large chicken egg.
How Drake and Kendrick Lamar's rap beef escalated within weeks
A long-simmering feud between hip-hop superstars Drake and Kendrick Lamar reached a boiling point in recent days as the pair traded increasingly personal insults on a succession of diss tracks. Here’s a quick overview of what’s behind the ongoing beef.
NEW For their protection, immigrants critical of China and India call for speedy passage of Canada's foreign interference legislation
Canadian immigrants threatened by hostile regimes are urging parliamentarians to quickly pass the 'Countering Foreign Interference Act' so they can feel safe living in their adopted home.
Ontario man devastated to learn $150,000 line of credit isn't insured after wife dies
An Ontario man found out that a line of credit he thought was insured actually isn't after his wife of 50 years died.
Spanish prosecutors recommend 2nd investigation into Shakira's taxes be thrown out
Spanish state prosecutors recommended Wednesday that an investigating judge shelve a probe into another alleged case of tax fraud by pop star Shakira.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
With Donald Trump sitting just feet away, Stormy Daniels testified Tuesday at the former president's hush money trial about a sexual encounter the porn actor says they had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.