REGINA The Saskatchewan government has made a formal request to the Ombudsman to investigate the COVID-19 outbreak at Extendicare Parkside in Regina. According to the government, the outbreak at the 220 bed special care home – declared in early December – resulted in the death of 38 residents and more than 200 infections among staff and residents. In a letter, Minister Responsible for Seniors Everett Hindley requested the Ombudsman investigate and report on the circumstances surrounding the outbreak, including Extendicare Parkside’s pre-outbreak infection prevention and control practices; pandemic planning and COVID-19 outbreak preparedness; what led to transmission of the virus within the facility; Extendicare Parkside’s initial response and immediate actions; the care home’s adherence to public health orders; and any other matters deemed relevant.