Statement by Official Opposition Health Critic Vicki Mowat March 22, 2021
In response to the devastating COVID-19 case numbers in Regina and area announced today, Official Opposition Health Critic Vicki Mowat released the following statement:
“Saskatchewan people want to do what is right and help each other to get to the finish line of COVID-19, when everyone has been vaccinated and we have herd immunity. We aren’t there yet, and until we are we need leadership from the Premier and the government to keep people safe.
But increasingly Saskatchewan people are being left on their own - at a time when variants of concern have taken over, especially in Regina and area. Today we see another 102 new cases in the Regina zone and a large increase in hospitalizations and ICU admission in the provincial capital.
What we are seeing now is the direct result of Scott Moe’s failure to take responsibility. Businesses are being told to stay open while their customers are being urged to stay home. Schools in Regina are closing and surgeries are facing incredible wait-times. It appears case numbers will only increase, adding to the pressure on health care facilities and hard-working staff.
Premier Moe has had several opportunities to act. He has chosen not to do so. He did not bring in a circuit breaker in November to fight the second wave. And this month, despite knowing that variants of concern were set to cause serious problems in Regina, he chose to relax restrictions instead of taking targeted action to protect the people of Saskatchewan.
There has been no wide-spread rapid testing in schools, long-term care facilities, high-risk communities and workplaces. Despite having rapid tests available for months, the government only announced a shipment for schools today, and the Sask. Party is relying on a tender for private delivery of tests that doesn’t close until April 30 - more than a month down the road.
The Premier owes the people of Saskatchewan an explanation, and a plan. He should release the modelling for COVID-19 variants to the people of this province, including the potential for spread beyond Regina and area to other communities. And he needs to make clear to the people of Saskatchewan that we are not out of the woods yet. Anything less is merely a continuation of his failed leadership on COVID-19.”
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