On Mother’s Day, the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) allows county residents to visit their relatives living in senior living facilities.
Mother’s Day will be very different this year. after nearly three years of pandemic. Saskatchewans can visit long-term care homes to show their love to their mothers or mothers in their lives.
Johnmark Opondo, Medical Officer of Health speaking on behalf of SHAindicates that excursions will be allowed and encouraged during this period as well.
If I want to take mom to lunch or go out on Mother’s Day, there’s no reason I can’t, unless she’s seriously ill.Dr. Opondo.
This measure applies to seniors who are not ill or have not been declared positive for COVID-19, even if their unit has been declared an epidemic zone, however the medical health officer has specified.
He added that residents considered close contact, with no symptoms, could leave the facility to visit family or meet outside.
He specified, however, that these residents would need to take a screening test for COVID-19 on their return, emphasizing that those declared positive or ill should be isolated.
Dr. reminded. Johnmark Opondo that red-level restrictions, which prohibit public access to outbreak areas, are necessary at the start of any outbreak to protect medically vulnerable residents.
Approximately 75 residential and long-term care centers experienced outbreaks as of May 5, with two or more cases associated with COVID-19, indicating SHA on its website.
A distant celebration for Betty Lindsay and her children
In Regina, 75-year-old Betty Lindsay’s children can’t deliver a bouquet of flowers to her. So from afar they will have to express, again, their love for their mother.
Her daughter, Heidi Lindsay, said family members were not allowed to visit the mother -in -law, despite a directive from the Saskatchewan Health Authority.
Outbreak cases were recorded in a special rehabilitation unit in Pioneer Village, where the septuagenarian lives. General visits have been suspended since May 1 due to this situation.
Heidi Lindsay was met with rejection by the head of the unit when it asked her if it was possible to organize a family visit to the yard while respecting physical distance and wearing a mask. “No, your mother can’t even go out alone to breathe fresh air,” was its reply.he is angry.
Last weekend, Heidi Lindsay visited her mother’s establishment. He said he saw a hand scribbled note with marker and piece of paper hanging on the door stating the facility is lockeddown and guests are not allowed.
Dr. acknowledges. Opondo said some visit restrictions are only temporary. According to him, sometimes necessary reduce traffic [le flux de visiteurs] during which staff are trying to implement outbreak precautions and strengthen infection control.
I seek to have the smallest possible impact because I don’t want to expose people [au virus] Not needed.
With information from Bonnie Allen
Source: Radio-Canada
