Broadview’s Union Hospital handling COVID cases

Broadview’s Union Hospital hasn’t been operating as a full-fledged hospital for more than a year due to staffing issues.

Without the ability to provide acute care or emergency room services, the facility in the town 150 kilometres east of Regina instead has offered what’s termed “an alternate level of care” — meaning patients’ needs can be met in long-term, respite or convalescent care.

Now, the facility is providing that same level of care to individuals who are either COVID-positive or close contacts of a positive case.

In a media release Wednesday, the Saskatchewan Health Authority said Union Hospital’s role was changed due to “increased COVID-19 activity in the area.”

Should a patient in the facility need acute care — such as inpatient or intensive care — they would be transferred to another hospital that can provide that level of assistance.

Other individuals needing acute care also would have to look elsewhere for treatment.

“Non-COVID patient care needs will be met in hospitals in surrounding rural locations,” the SHA said in the release. “The Broadview Union Hospital will not be open to the general public.”

The Broadview Medical Clinic is to remain open, but the public can only gain access through the clinic’s outside entrance.

X-ray services were shut down and laboratory services are only to be available in urgent cases at the discretion of medical professionals.

Saskatchewan has recorded triple-digit totals of new cases in 12 of the past 14 days, including a single-day record of 308 on Saturday.

According to the Government of Saskatchewan’s map of cases, as of Wednesday, there were 98 active cases in the southeast area of the province. Six people were in hospital in that region.

Of those active cases, 80 were in the sub-region of the southeast that includes Indian Head. There were four active cases in the sub-region that contains Broadview.

Another case at an Indian Head school

On Wednesday, the Prairie Valley School Division said another individual from Indian Head Elementary School had tested positive for COVID-19.

The division didn’t say if the individual was a student or a staff member.

“There is no impact on the school at this time as students are participating in online learning until November 30,” the division said in a media release.

“We are working closely with Public Health staff to ensure necessary measures are in place to protect all students.”