Newswire

TORONTO -- Health Canada has approved a test that can detect antibodies specific to COVID-19 in an individual’s blood, allowing Canadian labs to take a significant step forward in understanding immunity against the disease. The test is the first of its kind to be approved in Canada and will help scientists determine whether a person was exposed to COVID-19 and, more importantly, whether or…

The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) says it has added another step to its referral process for COVID-19 testing after two Saskatoon residents raised concerns about delays.  Tobi-Dawne Smith told CBC last week that it took five days to get tested after she was told she would get a call to arrange an appointment.  Smith, who said she had symptoms similar to those of the virus,…

The senior medical health officer for the Saskatchewan Health Authority has warned that stigmatizing COVID-19 is preventing some people from getting tested.  "I have seen some people stigmatized during this pandemic: those who are sick with COVID-19, emergency or health-care professionals and other essential workers, people from northern communities, and Indigenous people," said…

Some leaders say confusion around provincial checkpoints scattered throughout northern Saskatchewan are creating stress and anxiety for communities already under pressure due to the pandemic. At the end of April, the provincial government put in place heavy restrictions on travel in the region, which includes instructions for people to stay in their home communities, unless they're…

SASKATOON -- The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) has temporarily closed the emergency department in Preeceville until further notice. The SHA website says the Preeceville and District Health Centre is one of 12 rural area community hospitals that are converting to "alternative level of care " facilities as part of the health authority's COVID-19 surge plan. In early April,…