Last of Saskatchewan patients being treated in Ontario returns home

Saskatchewan has repatriated the last of its residents who were receiving health care in Ontario.

Starting in October, Saskatchewan sent 27 patients east to help ease the burden on the province’s health-care system caused by COVID-19. Six of those people died in Ontario.

In a media release Tuesday, Saskatchewan’s Ministry of Health said the last of the people who was being treated in Ontario had returned home.

“I would like to pass along my sincerest thanks, not only to the Government of Ontario, but even more so to the numerous doctors and health-care professionals involved with providing support to Saskatchewan residents receiving care in Ontario hospitals,” Health Minister Paul Merriman said in a media release.

“During these unprecedented times, it is imperative that the province can continue to support one another as we continue the fight against COVID-19.”

The ministry said no other patient transfers are expected.

There were 110 people in Saskatchewan hospitals as of Tuesday, including 34 in intensive care. Hospitalizations in the province reached a peak of 356 on Oct. 6, with a high of 85 ICU cases on Oct. 18.