Seek Appropriate Medical Attention When Needed: Saskatchewan Health Authority | The Canadian News

The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) reminds the general public to seek appropriate care when needed amid the fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In these times of a pandemic, it can be difficult to know if someone should stay home, go to the doctor or seek emergency care when feeling ill, according to a news release Friday.

SHA officials said a good rule of thumb is for people to call HealthLine 811, their GP or nurse practitioner if they have minor symptoms like fever, vomiting or diarrhea. If symptoms get significantly worse or people experience significant distress, they said call 911 or go to the emergency department.

“Yes, we are busy, but we are focusing on people with acute and emergency services who need our attention. So don’t walk away Please note that not all care continues, but our urgent care emergency is here for you, ”SHA Medical Director Dr. Susan Shaw said Thursday.

“We are still here for you if you need urgent and emergency care. And I really don’t want anyone to stay away if they think they are having a serious illness or a sudden change in their health. Seek care, call 911.

“We are there for you. It is very safe to enter and receive care within our hospitals and our emergency rooms.

SHA established the following for people seeking appropriate medical care:

• When to stay home: If a person has symptoms of COVID-19, stay home, call HealthLine 811 for a referral for COVID-10 testing, or go to your local testing center.
• When to go to the doctor: Call or visit family doctors, nurse practitioners, or community clinics for your daily health care needs. Most medical offices see patients in person. It is also very important that people continue to communicate with their provider about care for any chronic illness they may be living with.
• When to seek emergency care: If someone is experiencing significant distress, such as loss of consciousness, shortness of breath, chest pain, signs of a stroke, trauma, or severe bleeding, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
• When to go for a COVID-19 assessment and treatment site: If a person tests positive for COVID-19, their healthcare provider can refer them to an evaluation and treatment site, located throughout Saskatchewan to reduce in-person visits to emergency departments.

On Friday, the Saskatchewan dashboard showed 276 COVID-19 hospital patients, 4,734 active cases, and the total number of deaths increased by five to 663. The province’s seven-day average of daily new infections is 478.

– with a file from David Giles

Questions about COVID-19? Here are some things you need to know:

Symptoms can include fever, cough, and shortness of breath, much like a cold or the flu. Some people may develop a more serious illness. People most at risk for this are older adults and people with serious chronic medical conditions, such as heart, lung, or kidney disease. If you have symptoms, contact public health authorities.

To prevent the virus from spreading, experts recommend frequent hand washing and coughing into your sleeve. They also recommend minimizing contact with others, staying home as long as possible and keeping a distance of two meters from other people if you go out. In situations where you cannot keep a safe distance from others, public health officials recommend wearing a non-medical mask or covering to prevent the spread of respiratory droplets that can transmit the virus. In some provinces and municipalities across the country, masks or face coverings are now mandatory in indoor public spaces.

For full coverage of COVID-19, visit the Global News coronavirus webpage.

See link »