The spread of the novel coronavirus at the Lloydminster Hospital could be connected to some health-care workers going unmasked months into the pandemic, the facility’s head said.
Dr. Kevin Govender, site lead for the hospital, said the COVID-19 outbreak declared on April 26 may not have been as severe if surgical masks had been mandated sooner for all staff.
On April 15, the SHA made masks a requirement for all staff in clinical care areas, whether they work with COVID-19 patients or not.
Prior to that, Govender said staff at the Lloydminster Hospital were only required to wear masks when caring for COVID-suspect and COVID-positive patients. “The policy has to come from the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA),” Govender told Global News.