Looking far ahead, Sask. leaders finding some optimism on COVID

As COVID cases continue to grow by leaps and bounds in Saskatchewan and some worry over the government’s response – or what some feel is a lack thereof – news around the pandemic can be quite grim.

But this week, some of the province’s leaders have been projecting some optimism.

Health Minister Paul Merriman and chief medical health officer Dr. Saqib Shahab were asked about what they think the long-term situation with COVID will be.

Merriman said it’s hard to predict the long term.

“We’re hoping – I think everybody across the country and around the world is optimistic that we can start to look at putting this behind us,” Merriman said.

“I think everybody would breathe a sigh of relief if we could put COVID behind us … Not necessarily forget about it, but just live with COVID – understand how to live with COVID in a proper and safe way.”

Shahab said Saskatchewan already has a short-term plan through January and February.

As for a mid-term plan, he said many countries are looking at that as they exit the Omicron surge. They’re looking at the huge numbers of people who got exposed during this wave, including in the U.K., where the number is higher than the previous four waves.

Shahab said health officials are taking those numbers and wondering what Omicron might do for the population’s immunity to COVID.

“Most jurisdictions are optimistic of the spring and summer that, you know, can they exit most, if not all precautions? But I think again, that’ll depend on the data and evidence and risk as it evolves,” said Shahab.

The doctor was cautious about making predictions.

“I think we’ll still have to understand how long does the protection with the booster dose last (and) what will be the circulating variants in the fall,” said Shahab.

And it’ll be critical, according to Shahab, for Canada and other to continue to support the rest of the world in getting vaccinated and getting a high global vaccination rate. Shahab said the long-term future will continue to evolve and so will the response.