With more than 600 deaths and almost 60 thousand cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic, Vice President Dr. John Gjevre says the SMA and the province’s physicians don’t believe the fourth wave has peaked.

SMA’s President and Vice-President are discussing key issues with physicians and Saskatoon was first stop as the Saskatchewan Medical Association embarks on a tour of twelve regions of the province.

With the fourth wave occurring, Dr. Gjevre says doctors, nurses and other health care workers are starting to burn out, as well, other health care services are impacted.

“You have doctors, nurses, physiotherapists who are running flat-out trying to keep up with the critical needs of hospitalized patients with COVID and it does impact other health care issues.  So, for example, if you had a broken hip and you needed surgery, you know that’s going to be delayed because there are only so many O-Rs available, only so many ICU beds available. ”

Dr. John Gjevre says in terms of their recommendations to the province it has always been the Association’s belief that everyone should be vaccinated.  He says there is good scientific proof that the vaccine is safe, wearing a mask is not harmful to people and these are simple public health measures that can be used to reduce the virus spread.