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Saskatoon leaders gathered Friday morning to plead with residents to do everything possible to limit the spread of COVID-19.
The most urgent plea came from Saskatoon medical health officer Dr. Jasmine Hasselback. She wants people to start planning a virtual Christmas, even if provincial restrictions don’t change before the holidays.
“Christmas is going to be here next year too, but if we don’t change the way we’re doing things, there are people who might not be here next year for Christmas,” she said.
“Now’s the time where it has to be a switch — a decision to move to virtual connections whenever possible.”
Hasselback said interactions should be limited to just people living in one household and “essential connections.”
Mayor Charlie Clark, Fire Chief Morgan Hackl and Police Chief Troy Cooper joined Hasselback for the plea to residents.
With 261 active cases reported in the city a month ago compared to 1,324 as of Friday, leaders are urging residents to remain vigilant in following health and safety precautions.
Saskatoon has 36 people receiving inpatient care in hospital and 11 in ICU, operating at overcapacity — 126 per cent.
“Now is the time we must turn our numbers around, save lives and livelihoods in our community,” Clark said in his opening statement during Friday’s videoconference.
The Saskatchewan Health Authority is projecting provincial cases will double in the next two weeks with a forecasted peak in mid-January, which would put ICU capacity at 449 per cent.
Hasselback said going above and beyond existing provincial measures might be necessary to keep numbers manageable for the provincial health system.
For now, leaders are asking people to wear masks when around anyone not part of their household, remain two metres apart from people outside your home and download the COVID Alert app to help inform people of a possible exposure as soon as possible.
With vaccines expected to be rolled out in the new year, Clark is warning now is not the time to become complacent.
“We cannot let our guard down waiting for a vaccine to come, because if we do, more lives will be lost needlessly,” he said.
Clark pointed to 13 outbreaks currently being reported at long-term care homes in Saskatoon.
Cooper said the pandemic has created plenty of extra work for officers as well.
Officers have responded to 1,296 calls for pandemic-related reasons, either for a possible breach of public health orders or to make sure people ordered to quarantine after travelling were staying home.
“I can tell you from our experience, the vast majority of individuals and the vast majority of Saskatoon businesses have not only been compliant, but they’ve been preventative,” he said.
Clark urged people in the community to call out and keep people accountable if they’re seen not wearing a mask or needlessly avoiding restrictions.
Cooper said changing the numbers and trajectory will have to come from the community.
“I think of smoking, for example, that doesn’t require enforcement and people follow the rules. It’s accepted in our community, and I think we can do the same when it comes to COVID,” Cooper said.
Clark said added bylaw officers won’t be deployed to enforce guidelines at this point.
When asked if provincial health guidelines and restrictions go far enough, Hasselback said added measures can always be taken.
“The public health order is going to take care of a certain amount of restrictions, but every decision that you’re making throughout the day … there’s a riskier option, and there’s a safer option,” Hasselback said.
As far as any Christmas plans, Hasselback wants people to stay home to keep daily cases manageable.
“I’m just going to say it: No. Keep your holiday plans this year to your household and bring in everyone virtually,” she said.
