REGINA – Official Opposition Leader Ryan Meili sounded the alarm today as the Sask. Party government continues to ignore the action needed to fight COVID-19 variants in Saskatchewan, and called for a rethink of the government’s vaccine roll-out.
“This Premier’s weak and ineffectual half-measures have failed to prevent the severe second and now third waves of COVID-19 in Saskatchewan,” said Meili. “While the Premier repeatedly states that he would change nothing in his government’s response, Saskatchewan has led the country in cases for most of 2021. Now Regina, Moose Jaw, Weyburn and other parts of the province face alarming outbreaks of more contagious and more deadly variants. This hurts Saskatchewan people and further prevents any meaningful economic recovery.”
Meili noted that yesterday’s COVID-19 update showed 202 hospitalizations with 44 ICU patients, pointing to a strain on the health care system that cannot be sustained in the long term. The Health Minister’s only plan is to transport Regina ICU patients to Saskatoon.
“The fact is, variants are a game-changer, but Scott Moe is stuck in the same ‘do-nothing’ mentality that put us in this spot in the first place,” said Meili. “Because the variants are hitting younger people harder, and changing the pattern of hospitalizations, it is vital that the government listen to public health experts and rethink their vaccine strategy to prioritize front-line workers.”
-30-