REGINA — Saskatchewan's premier says the government is changing the metric of how it tracks COVID-19 infections as the province sees rising cases, but decreasing hospitalizations.
Scott Moe says he won't bring in any new public health orders or restrictions because vaccines and regular testing are lowering the number of deadly health conditions caused by the Omicron variant of COVID-19.
Health Minister Paul Merriman adds people with Omicron can get tested and recover with mild symptoms at home so case numbers are no longer a key indicator of the status of the pandemic.
He says the government is instead focusing more on COVID-19 hospitalizations.
Merriman and Moe both encouraged residents to get a booster shot, regularly test at home and limit gatherings because that will reduce transmission of the virus.
The province had 1,645 active cases yesterday and is to provide an updated case count this afternoon.
Chief medical health officer Dr. Saqib Shahab says he's aware of the potential for a fifth wave of the pandemic but he says the province can prevent mass hospitalizations, even if case numbers are high, if residents follow the government's recommendations.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 30, 2021.
The Canadian Press
