Thread by @hinz_tamara

A few slides that I thought were particularly important from tonight’s #Covid19Sk physician town hall:

Firstly, this should be no surprise that Sask holds the dubious distinction of being among the highest rates of COVID-19 in the country. Dark blue = bad.

The % change columns are important and have basically flatlined into the lowest rates in the country. @skgov wants to put all their eggs in the vaccine basket but also shows no willingness to find ways to increase uptake. Other jurisdictions tell us that vaccine mandates work.

Canadian modelling from the end of July shows what case rates will do when restrictions are dropped. Look what happened? We are tracking, within margin of error, right along that horrible vertical slope.

Why is this all relevant? Look what is happening to our #COVID19SK hospitalization numbers. Even as a lagging indicator, there is no doubt that the decisions of our government are leading to sharp upticks in ICU and non-ICU admissions (note that ICUs are already full).

We do not currently have the workforce to increase testing rates (as long lineups in #yxe have shown) or keep up with contact tracing. People testing + for COVID are being asked to contact all their own contacts. I’m not sure what happens if people are unwilling or unable.

Public health issued pleas to us that really are directed to decision makers within the @SaskParty. The 5 bullet points in red are the asks that we desperately need in place in order to get a handle on this situation.

Finally, we heard another grim report of the status of Saskatoon’s ERs from my friend Dr @Brent_Thoma. Staffing shortages are **already** leading to unsafe and substandard care. EMS tied up with patients waiting for beds means that ambulance response times may be affected.

As my pal @WheatNOil eloquently tweeted, now is not a great time to get sick or injured - #COVID or otherwise.
How can you help? Amplify messages like this. Share your concerns with your MLAs and Premier. And work to get your friends and family vaccinated.
Please stay safe ❤️