Visitor restrictions easing at Saskatoon hospitals Wednesday: health authority

More family members will be able to visit loved ones in Saskatoon hospitals, as theSaskatchewan Health Authoritysays visitor restrictions at those hospitalsare now movinginto the "recovery phase."

Starting Wednesday, there will no longer be limitson the number of people who can be designated as essential support people for each patient, the health authority said in a Tuesday news release. Two ofof those peoplewill be able to visit indoors at the same time.

Four essential support people will also be allowed to visit at the same time with patientsin end-of-life, intensive or palliative care situations.

"The recovery phase is intended to be a safe progression towards pre-pandemic open family presence, which welcomed essential family/support persons at any time to support patient care," the health authority said in its news release.

"Patients and families will still be asked to consider limiting the number of individuals who are designated, recognizing that every visit to an acute care facility brings with it the risk of exposure or transmission of COVID-19."

The timing of in-person visits "may be subject to scheduling limitations of the unit," the health authority added, noting visitors are encouraged to workwith care teams to arrange visits in advance.

There is no limit on how many people can visit a patient outdoors.

Due to capacity and demands, the health authoritysaid the emergency department will stay at Level 1 Family Presence, meaning only one person is allowed to accompany the patient there.

Visiting hours will also remain from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Previously,Saskatoon hospitalswere at Level 1 of the health authority's visitor restrictions,meaning onlytwo family members or support people couldbe designated.

Decisions on changes to rules aroundfamily presence in acute care will be made by local medical health officers and leaders, the health authority says.

With the rise of thedelta coronavirus variant in Saskatchewan, the SHA said health officials will continue to monitor thetransmission risk and hospitalizations in Saskatoon on a weekly basis.

Should conditions worsen, the health authority said further restrictions could be reinstated.