P.1 COVID variant spreading in Saskatchewan

It has been a couple of weeks since the B.1.1.7 COVID-19 variant established itself as the dominant strain in Saskatchewan, but a new variant is now starting to spread.

Originally only five cases of the P.1 — or Brazilian — variant were found in Saskatchewan, in the southwest region last week. But on Tuesday, the province announced 14 more cases had been identified: Two in the south-central zone, three more in the southwest, one in Saskatoon, and eight in the northwest.

Current evidence suggests the P.1 variant could be more contagious and the efficacy of current vaccines against it is still a question.

Premier Scott Moe said it wasn’t unexpected for the strain to show up in Saskatchewan, seeing as it’s circulating in Alberta.

In the face of the new variant, Moe said obeying the public health measures is as important as it has ever been.

“It’s so very important for us right now to ensure that we are going above and beyond with respect to what we are doing, how we are conducting our own actions each and every day,” Moe said during a media conference Tuesday.

Moe is also encouraging people to get vaccinated as soon as they can.

When asked about the variant, Dr. Saqib Shahab — Saskatchewan’s chief medical health officer — said it’s good that the variants are being identified. He praised the capacity at the provincial lab, saying it’s “world class.”

Saskatoon has been seeing a rise in cases recently and a larger and larger number of those cases are variants of concern.

Shahab said the city is on a red alert status, on the cusp, and more public health measures could be needed — though Moe said health officials haven’t talked about benchmarks for that yet.

Shahab also said individual actions make all the difference, saying that’s what’s made the difference in Regina.

“That’s why, Saskatoon, we have to watch very closely, work very closely with public health in Saskatoon because we absolutely don’t want to see the surge that we saw in Regina happen in Saskatoon and take whatever pre-emptive, specific or more broad measures that are required,” said Shahab.

A few more weeks

The province is expecting to reduce the age eligibility twice this week for vaccinations. On Wednesday, it will be lowered to 42 for most of the province and 30 in the far north. On Friday it will be lowered again to 40.

Moe had a message for everyone under 40, saying they will be able to get vaccinated soon.

“You need to follow all the public health orders and the guidelines that are in place, and that means not getting together in groups with your friends,” said Moe.

The premier said he understands how difficult this has been, particularly for those in their 20s who are in a particularly social time of their lives.

“Please know that it is just going to be a little while longer, and you could lose so much if you contract one of these variants or if you pass it along to one of your friends or a family member,” said Moe.