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
Montreal doctors' breakthrough discovery about causes of cerebral palsy giving hope
A breakthrough discovery made by doctors at the Montreal Children's Hospital about the causes of cerebral palsy is giving new hope to one West Island family.
Weather alerts issued for 7 provinces, 1 territory
Warnings of up to 60 millimetres of rain and other alerts have been issued for seven Canadian provinces and one territory ahead of the Easter weekend.
Ontario homeowner on the hook for $27,000 when contractor severed power line
An Ontario man who built a garage on his property has been locked in a battle with his electricity provider for a year and half over a severed power line.
For years she thought her son had died of an overdose. The police video changed all that
Austin Hunter Turner died in 2017, on a night that his mother has rewound and replayed again and again, trying to make sense of what happened.
Grandparent scam: London, Ont., senior beats fraudsters not once, but twice
It was a typical Tuesday for Mabel Beharrell, 84, until she got the call that would turn her world upside down. Her teenaged grandson was in trouble and needed her help.
CRA no longer requiring 'bare trust' reporting in 2023 tax return
The Canada Revenue Agency announced Thursday it will not require 'bare trust' reporting from Canadians that it introduced for the 2024 tax season, just four days before the April 2 deadline.
Why Kim Kardashian is being sued for 'knockoff' furniture
The estate of minimalist contemporary artist Donald Judd filed a lawsuit against Kardashian this week, claiming the fashion and beauty mogul promoted 'cheap knockoffs' of his furniture designs.
Where is the worst place for allergy sufferers in Canada?
The spring allergy season has started early in many parts of Canada, with high levels of pollen in some cities already. Experts weigh in on which areas have it worse so far this season.
Louis Gossett Jr., 1st Black man to win supporting actor Oscar, dies at 87
Louis Gossett Jr., the first Black man to win a supporting actor Oscar and an Emmy winner for his role in the seminal TV miniseries 'Roots,' has died. He was 87.