Sask. top doctor encourages residents to get boosted ahead of expected rise of COVID, flu rates
CTV
Summer in Saskatchewan has been a relatively calm season for viruses. However, fall is around the corner and with it comes the increased spread of the flu and COVID-19.
Summer in Saskatchewan has been a relatively calm season for viruses. However, fall is around the corner and with it comes the increased spread of the flu and COVID-19.
With kids returning to school and many activities moving indoors as temperatures drop – health experts in the province are saying many viruses will inevitably start spreading.
According to the latest Community Respiratory Illness Surveillance Program (CRISP) report – the majority of respiratory virus hospitalizations were not related to COVID, Influenza or Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) from July 16 to Aug. 12.
RSV actually reached a point of inactivity with no cases reported in that period, according to the province.
However, Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Saqib Shahab expects COVID-19 cases to rise as the seasons change.
“We’ve had very low levels of viral infection throughout the summer,” he told CTV News. “We did have a bit of COVID throughout the summer but we certainly expect to see it pick up a bit in the fall.”
The expected rise is why Shahab is recommending everyone double doses on vaccines this season.
