All posts by Dan Senick

Davidson

COVID-19 Update: 34 New Cases, 9 in Hospital, 11 Recoveries. Gathering Sizes to be Reduced

There are 34 new cases of COVID-19 to report in Saskatchewan on October 13, bringing the total to 2,174 cases.  The new cases are located in the North Central (9), Saskatoon (8), Central West (4), and Regina (11) zones. Two cases have locations pending.

Public health investigations continue to follow up on all new cases to determine if they have links to known events or if they are new transmissions within the community.

With the increasing rise in cases throughout Saskatchewan, linked to public and private social gatherings, Saskatchewan’s Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Saqib Shahab is amending the Public Health order on gathering sizes in private residences.  As of Thursday night (12:01 am Friday, October 16) the maximum allowable gathering size for private gatherings in the home will be 15.

“Even with increasing community transmission rates we still have the power to effect change, to flatten that curve, but it means all residents have to do their part to help keep their friends and family safe,” Shahab said.

Dr. Shahab is also strongly recommending masks be worn in all indoor public locations where physical distancing of two metres is not possible or predictable.  Above all, stay home if sick.

Of the 2,174 reported cases, 238 are considered active.  A total of 1,911 people have recovered.

Nine people are in hospital.  Seven people are receiving inpatient care; 4 in Saskatoon, 1 in Regina, 1 in North Central and 1 in Central East.  One person is in intensive care in Regina and one person is in intensive care in Saskatoon.

Of the 2,174 cases in the province to date:

  • 317 cases are travellers;
  • 1,066 are community contacts (including mass gatherings);
  • 613 have no known exposures; and
  • 178 are under investigation by local public health.

Overall in Saskatchewan to date:

  • 78 cases are healthcare workers; however, the source of the infections may not be related to healthcare in all instances.
  • 373 cases involve people 19 years of age and under, while the remainder are adults.
  • 726 cases are in the 20-39 age range; 658 are in the 40-59 age range; 347 are in the 60-79 age range; and 70 are in the 80-plus range.
  • 51 per cent of the cases are females and 49 per cent are males.
  • 25 deaths related to COVID-19 have been reported to date.
  • There are:
    • 465 cases are from the south area (226 south west, 207 south central, 32 south east)
    • 450 cases are from the Saskatoon area
    • 375 cases are from the far north area (356 far north west, 0 far north central, 19 far north east)
    • 388 cases are from the north area (140 north west, 127 north central, 71 north east)
    • 314 cases are from the central area (187 central west, 127 central east)
    • 230 cases are from the Regina area

To date, 218,959 COVID-19 tests have been performed in Saskatchewan.  As of October 11, 2020 when other provincial and national numbers are available from Public Health Agency of Canada, Saskatchewan’s per capita rate was 151,482 people tested per million population.  The national rate was 217,924 people tested per million population.

Yesterday, 2037 COVID-19 tests were performed in Saskatchewan.

Note Correction: an incorrect number of total tests was reported in yesterday’s COVID-19 case news releases. There were 684 tests that were doubled counted, therefore the correct total number of tests performed on October 11th was 2,553.

Failure to Abide by Public Health Orders May Result in Fines

In Saskatchewan and across the country, public health authorities are seeing increasing transmission rates as a result of contravention of public health orders and guidelines, particularly as a result of public and private gatherings.  There can be very serious consequences for not following Public Health Orders, including fines in cases where negligence or misconduct have been found.  Fines may be $2,000 for individuals and $10,000 for corporations, plus a victim surcharge.

Everyone should continue to take precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19.  Do not attend or host any events if you are experiencing symptoms, even if they are mild.

COVID-19 Testing

COVID-19 testing is available to anyone who requests it.  A referral for testing can be made by contacting HealthLine 811, your physician or nurse practitioner.  If you require urgent care, call 911.

Further information on testing is available at https://www.saskatchewan.ca/government/health-care-administration-and-provider-resources/treatment-procedures-and-guidelines/emerging-public-health-issues/2019-novel-coronavirus/testing-information.

General COVID-19 Information

General public inquiries may be directed to COVID19@health.gov.sk.ca.

Find the most up-to-date version of the Re-Open Saskatchewan plan at www.saskatchewan.ca/re-open.

Obituary

Malinski, William (Billy)

William (Billy) Malinski (1982-2020)

It is with great sorrow and sadness that the family of William (Billy) Malinski announce his sudden passing on September 1, 2020.

He is survived by his mother Mary, his brothers Jason and Dean and his beloved children Vernalynn, Jazmine, William (Billy), Zeus and Skyla.

William Howard Malinski was born in Melfort, Saskatchewan on October 22, 1982. Billy lived in Saskatchewan for most of his life, living in Melfort until his family moved to Clandonald, Alberta in 1990. There, Billy and his brothers would build forts near their acreage home and try to keep the gopher population down by a determined hunting effort.

In 1996, Billy’s family moved back to Saskatchewan, settling in Davidson. Here Billy attended Davidson High School and worked for Clark and Dan Puckett on the farm south of town. After his schooling, he worked for a time at Panther Packaging building pallets. He was a skilled worker who loved working with his hands.

As his life progressed, he worked on the oil rigs, did roofing and stucco projects, and operating a heavy rock crusher where an accident claimed a finger. Billy loved music, especially popular music from the 80’s and 90’s. He also loved watching good movies, something he later enjoyed sharing with his children on “movie nights” with popcorn and snacks.

Billy had a great sense of humour and loved making people laugh. He will be sorely missed by his loving family and friends. Saskatchewan has lost one of its sons and we pause to honour his life.

A graveside Memorial Service will be held at Warren’s Memorial Gardens at Swift Current, Saskatchewan on Monday October 5, 2020 at 2 pm. Clark Puckett, Certified Funeral Celebrant, presiding.
Please note there has been a change of location.

Davidson

Vote for the Davidson First Responders

My Mutual is offering two prizes of $24,000 to two local groups of
Volunteer First Responders in Saskatchewan!

Every qualifying group of Volunteer First Responders will be able to be found below where your community and friends can read your story, get to know you, and cast their vote for you.

Like and share with your friends on social media and start spreading the word to get out the vote!

*You can only vote once per 24hr period. Please note that the time you vote is when the 24hr clock will start for you to vote the next day again. Ex. If the first time you vote is at 5 pm, you won’t vote again until 5 pm the next day.

VOTING BEGINS SEPTERMBER 17, 2020 AT 9:00AM |  VOTING END SEPTEMBER 24, 2020 AT MIDNIGHT

Where to vote for the Davidson First Responders and a link to share https://my-mutual-insurance.wishpondpages.com/respondersfirst/entries/190818650

Davidson

COVID-19 Update: 19 New Cases, Five In Hospital, 15 More Recoveries

There are 19 new cases of COVID-19 to report in Saskatchewan on September 18, bringing the total to 1,776 reported cases.  The new cases are located in the Saskatoon (12), Central West (3) and Regina (4) zones.

Of the 12 new cases reported today in the Saskatoon area, six have been identified in the workplace at Brandt Industries.  The remaining cases are linked to known cases that are being tracked by public health officials.

Of the 1,776 reported cases, 113 are considered active.  A total of 1,639 people have recovered.

Five people are in hospital receiving inpatient care in Saskatoon.

Investigations completed thus far have found that 24 of the 113 current active cases are from communal living settings.

Of the 1,776 cases in the province to date:

  • 264 cases are travellers;
  • 877 are community contacts (including mass gatherings);
  • 520 have no known exposures; and
  • 115 are under investigation by local public health

Overall in Saskatchewan to date:

  • 69 cases are healthcare workers; however, the source of the infections may not be related to healthcare in all instances.
  • 295 cases involve people 19 years of age and under, while the remainder are adults.
  • 579 cases are in the 20-39 age range; 547 are in the 40-59 age range; 295 are in the 60-79 age range; and 60 are in the 80-plus range.
  • 51 per cent of the cases are females and 49 per cent are males.
  • 24 deaths related to COVID-19 have been reported to date.
  • There are: 
    • 434 cases are from the south area (222 south west, 197 south central, 15 south east)
    • 357 cases are from the far north area (349 far north west, 0 far north central, 8 far north east)
    • 338 cases are from the Saskatoon area
    • 271 cases are from the north area (131 north west, 73 north central, 67 north east)
    • 232 cases are from the central area (171 central west, 61 central east)
    • 144 cases are from the Regina area

To date, 166,646 COVID-19 tests have been performed in Saskatchewan.  As of September 16, 2020 when other provincial and national numbers are available from Public Health Agency of Canada, Saskatchewan’s per capita rate was 117,832 people tested per million population.  The national rate was 170,848 people tested per million population.

Yesterday, 1,980 COVID-19 tests were performed in Saskatchewan.

COVID-19 Testing

COVID-19 testing is now available to anyone who requests it, regardless of whether they have symptoms or not.  A referral for testing can be made by contacting HealthLine 811, your physician or nurse practitioner if you are experiencing worsening symptoms.  If you require urgent care, call 911.

Priority testing is available for those who are symptomatic, health care workers and first responders, teachers and school staff.
If you are asymptomatic and planning to travel but require a test, please allow a minimum of seven days from the date of your test through to notification of results. You can also view your results directly on MySaskHealthRecord.

Drive-through testing sites that do not require a referral are operating in Regina and Saskatoon.  This is in addition to the testing and assessment centres currently open.

Regina – International Trade Centre at Evraz Place – Hall C, 1700 Elphinstone Street
Tuesdays and Thursdays – 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Saturdays – 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Saskatoon – 3630 Thatcher Avenue
Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays – 12 p.m. – 7:15 p.m.
Saturdays and Sundays – 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

A valid Saskatchewan Health Card will be required for each person getting tested.  A Canadian Armed Forces number or Interim Federal Health identification will also be accepted.  You will be required to wear a mask during the registration process.

The drive-thru sites will be first come, first served so there may be some wait times. You must wait in your vehicle.  There are no public washrooms available at these sites.

General COVID-19 Information

General public inquiries may be directed to COVID19@health.gov.sk.ca. 

Find the most up-to-date version of the Re-Open Saskatchewan plan at www.saskatchewan.ca/re-open.


Obituary

Semanski (Thomas), Lorie

With much sadness the family of Lorie Semanski announces her sudden passing on September 5, 2020 at Airdrie, Alberta.

Lorie is survived by her dear husband Ken, brothers Larry Thomas and Richard (Sandy) Thomas plus her nephew Chad. She also is survived by many cousins and friends.

Lorie was predeceased by her mother and father, Susan and Peter Thomas, infant sister Maureen, and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. She also lost her two Shih Tzu puppies Zoie and Echo just recently.

Lorie grew up on the family farm near Davidson and completed schooling there. Further training in human resource was taken when they moved to Winnipeg. She worked for the Province of Saskatchewan in Regina, then with the Canadian Post Office in Winnipeg and Calgary.

In 1985 Lorie married the love of her life Ken Semanski. Ken and Lorie enjoyed traveling and visiting with friends and relatives, Lorie especially liked visiting her family, plus aunts and uncles in Davidson. They also enjoyed raising Shin Tzu puppies (Sophie, Zoie and Echo).

Due to Covid-19 concerns funeral services will be planned later.

Obituary

Gust, Carol

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Carol Lynn Gust of Regina, SK. Carol passed with family by her side on September 2, 2020, after a hard-fought battle with cancer.

A family funeral service was held in her childhood home of Davidson on September 10, 2020. Carol was born in Edmonton, on February 8, 1966.

She lived in train stations in Lacadena, Aylesbury and Central Butte before living in a ‘real’ house in Davidson. She loved spending time visiting her Mom’s family on the farm in Southern Saskatchewan. She graduated from Davidson High school and moved to Regina where she received a degree from the University of Regina.

Carol was married to Carlton Gust on July 27, 1991; they were married 29 years and have been together for 39 years.

Carol worked in I.T. for Agriculture Canada, CGI and the Co-Operators where she made many lasting friendships. She was strongly passionate about wildlife and animals and when she wasn’t reading about them, observing them or helping them, she was spending time at the family cabin, on the beach in Mexico, attending arts and craft shows, visiting with neighbours, watching thunderstorms from the deck, and reading with her “farm” cats in the evenings.

Prior to becoming ill, she was also actively involved with the WRSoS as a wildlife rescue volunteer and planned on engaging more with them in her retirement.

Carol is survived by husband Carlton, daughter Emily (Jordan), son Brody (Alexa), mother Alfreda, mother-in-law Nina, sisters Rosemarie (Scott), Susan (Marc), half-siblings Kerry (Edz), Alaina, Kendra (Luke), Michael (Haylee), sisters and brothers-in-law, many nieces and nephews, aunts and uncles, cousins, as well as numerous other close family and friends.

Carol is preceded by her father Keith, father-in-law Robert, uncles
Gordon, John, and sister-in-law Sandy.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Carol’s name to the
Wildlife Rehabilitation Society of Saskatchewan (WRSoS), Salthaven West, Bright Eyes Dog Rescue (BEDR), the Regina Cat Rescue (RCR), or Early Childhood Intervention (ECIP).

The family of Carol Gust wishes to thank the Allan Blair Cancer Clinic, and the nurses, doctors and staff of the 3B unit at the Pasqua Hospital for the great care they took of Carol and her family over the past eight months. Hanson’s Funeral Home of Davidson was in care of arrangements.