More deaths, fewer hospitalizations due to COVID-19 reported in Sask. bi-weekly CRISP report
The most recent respiratory illness numbers released in Saskatchewan show a plateau in most sicknesses, but 16 people who tested positive for COVID-19 died in the first two weeks of January.
The bi-weekly Community Respiratory Illness Surveillance Program (CRISP) report shows the majority of the 16 who died were 60 or older. In the previous two week period, there were 10 COVID-19 deaths reported.
“What we’ve seen over the last few months is that we have ongoing deaths from COVID-19,” Dr. Saqib Shahab, the chief medical health officer for the Ministry of Health, said.
“Every death due to an infection is unfortunate. But we are seeing a trend where the deaths are primarily in people who are elderly and frail. COVID-19 deaths are now resembling deaths due to other respiratory illnesses, like influenza.”
The CRISP report shows COVID-19 outbreaks in long term care homes are up, hospitalizations decreased from 119 to 81 per week and test positivity rates have decreased.
Shahab said ultimately, the respiratory season is proceeding as was expected.
“COVID-19 is still at that plateau for many weeks now. It’s not going up or down significantly,” he said.
“Hospitalizations are at a level that doesn’t seem to be trending up too much, but isn’t trending down either.”
Dr. Shahab noted that the Bivalent vaccine, which offers protection against the Omicron variant, is available to those aged five and older.
“If you haven’t had that, you should go and get it as long as it’s been four months since your last COVID-19 vaccine or, if you had an infection, four months since getting that infection,” Dr. Shahab said.
At this point, Shahab said there are no national recommendations for repeating the Bivalent vaccine.
For those who have underlying health issues, are immunocompromised, are unvaccinated or are over 70 with two or more risk factors, Dr. Shahab said anti-viral therapies are encouraged.
“Paxlovid has to be given within five days of getting an infection,” he said.
“For those at high risk of hospitalization and complications, Paxlovid is a treatment that is available. For the rest of us, thankfully now we’ve developed this robust hybrid immunity of vaccinations, boosters or many of us have had Omicron over the past year.”
RESPIRATORY SYNCYTIAL VIRUS
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) cases have remained consistent over the past four weeks.
Children aged four and under made up 50 per cent of the most recent cases, while another 30 per cent were seniors.
“We get RSV every year,” Dr. Shahab said.
“We didn’t get too much RSV in 2020 because of all the public health measures. We did see RSV in 2021 and that is still continuing.”
Dr. Shahab said the province is seeing a fairly average round of RSV this year, however with more viral testing now than in the past, there many be slightly more cases detected.
“We certainly are finding more RSV than we would in years prior to COVID-19,” Shahab said.
“But as far as I’m aware, it’s not a more severe strain. We’re seeing the usual pressures due to RSV [in hospitals] in children under four.”
The virus typically impacts children four and under, as well as seniors, the most.
Dr. Shahab said for older children and adults, it typically isn’t too much of an issue.
There is currently no vaccine for RSV.
Dr. Shahab said if a young child experiences symptoms including fussy behaviour, no appetite or rapid breathing, they should receive care immediately.
Meanwhile influenza season has faded out, but Dr. Shahab said it’s possible another round could hit in the coming weeks.
“Most years, before COVID-19, we would get a second wave of influenza B in February or March. So we’ll see if we still will get a second influence wave, but certainly the wave we saw starting in November is winding down,” Dr. Shahab said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6972130.1721585719!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Justin Trudeau reacts to Joe Biden announcing he won't run for re-election
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau responded to the news that U.S. President Joe Biden won’t run for re-election Sunday, calling Biden a 'true friend.'
What happens next: Joe Biden wants to pass the baton to Kamala Harris. Here's how that might work
With U.S. President Joe Biden ending his re-election bid and endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris, Democrats now must navigate a shift that is unprecedented this late in an election year.
BREAKING NEWS Joe Biden drops out of 2024 race, endorses Kamala Harris to be Democratic nominee
U.S. President Joe Biden dropped out of the 2024 race for the White House on Sunday, ending his bid for re-election after a disastrous debate with Donald Trump that raised doubts about the incumbent's fitness for office with the election just four months away. It was a late-season campaign thunderstrike unlike any in American history.
Read Biden's full text announcing the end to his re-election campaign
U.S. President Joe Biden ended his re-election campaign on Sunday after fellow Democrats lost faith in his mental acuity and ability to beat Donald Trump. He announced his decision in a letter posted on social media. Read the full text.
Harris, endorsed by Biden, could become first woman, second Black person to be U.S. president
Kamala Harris could become the first Black woman to head a major U.S. party presidential ticket after U.S. President Joe Biden abruptly ended his re-election bid and endorsed her.
The pilot who died in crash after releasing skydivers near Niagara Falls has been identified
NEW YORK (AP) — Officials on Sunday released the name of a pilot who died in a skydiving flight after her passengers jumped from the aircraft near the Niagara Falls.
LCBO workers ratify tentative agreement, strike ends Monday
The union representing 10,000 workers at the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) has ratified a tentative agreement, which will officially end its two-week strike at 12:01 a.m. Monday.
Joy in Newfoundland after 'Lucky 7' fishers survive harrowing days lost at sea
There was a powerful word being repeated in the joyful Newfoundland community of New-Wes-Valley on Sunday: 'Miracle.'
A Florida woman was killed 24 years ago. DNA evidence just helped police make an arrest in the cold case
A Florida woman’s brutal killing nearly 25 years ago may finally be solved after authorities arrested the suspect this week, according to the Sanford Police Department.