All posts by Dan Senick

COVID-19 Update: Two New Cases, One In Hospital, Recoveries Remain At 624

There are two new cases of COVID-19 in Saskatchewan to report on June 9, 2020, bringing the provincial total to 656.

One new case is in the Saskatoon region and one in the Far North region.

Of the 656 reported COVID-19 cases in Saskatchewan, 19 are considered active. A total of 624 individuals have recovered.

There is currently one person in intensive care, in Saskatoon.

Of the 656 cases in the province:

145 cases are travellers;
394 are community contacts (including mass gatherings);
78 have no known exposures; and
39 are under investigation by local public health.
Overall in Saskatchewan:

51 cases are health care workers; however, the source of the infections may not be related to health care in all instances.
261 of the cases are from the Far North, 174 are from the Saskatoon area, 112 from the North, 80 from the Regina area, 17 from the South and 12 from the Central region.
98 cases involve people 19 years of age and under, while the remainder are adults.
232 cases are in the 20-39 age range; 199 are in the 40-59 age range; 109 are in the 60-79 age range; and 18 are in the 80-plus range.
52 per cent of the cases are females and 48 per cent are males.
13 deaths related to COVID-19 have been reported to date.
To date, 52,511 COVID-19 tests have been performed in the province. As of June 7, 2020, when other provincial and national numbers are last available from the Public Health Agency of Canada, Saskatchewan’s per capita rate was 40,027 people tested per million population. National rate was 51,348 people tested per million population.

COVID-19 Testing

Testing for COVID-19 is available to anyone currently working outside the home or anyone returning to work as part of the Re-Open Saskatchewan plan.

Testing is also available to:

Those being admitted to acute care for more than 24 hours, including expectant mothers.
Immunocompromised individuals and their health care providers.
If you are experiencing symptoms of fever, cough, shortness of breath, headaches, aches and pains, sore throat, chills, runny nose or a loss of your sense of taste or smell, contact HealthLine 811 or your family physician for advice on whether you should be tested for COVID-19. You can also take the online self-assessment at www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19.

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.

RUSTULKA, Gregory Frank “Gregg”

The passing of Gregg Rustulka, of Kenaston and formerly of Prince Albert, Sask., occurred peacefully on Tuesday, June 2, 2020 at Royal
University Hospital in Saskatoon, with his loving wife of 45
years by his side.

Gregg loved His Lord and Saviour and he loved people. This led him to a life of service as a missionary and pastor. He loved to serve people and did so every chance he got. A day didn’t go by where
he wasn’t checking in with those around him. He lived this way till the very end and one of his very last statements was “just make sure that every- one knows how much I loved them!”

The world lost a terrific husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend this week. His legacy will live on and many will enjoy heaven with Gregg because of his work here on Earth.

Gregg is lovingly remembered by his wife, Lynn; his family: Scott (Desiree) Rustulka and their children, Savannah, Skye, Dellan & Delilah; Cherie Rustulka; and Keli (Greg) Rosenquist and their
children, Hayden & Mia; his brothers, Blair (Marti), Kenton
and David (Lisa) Rustulka; and numerous nieces, nephews, in-laws and friends. He was predeceased by his parents, Frank & Hertha Rustulka; and by his brother, Charles.

A Service of Remembrance will be held at a later date.

Memorial donations may be made to: Gideons International.

Arrangements are in care of the Outlook Funeral Chapel 306-867-8255.

Joy Edith Reed (Colenutt)

Joy Reed of Davidson, Saskatchewan passed away on Thursday, May 21, 2020 at the Davidson & District Health Care Centre, Davidson SK.

Joy was predeceased by her husband George Maxwell Reed and she is survived by her loving family: children: Richard (Naomi); Perry (Diana) and grandson Russell and great-grandson Kenneth; Kirk; Todd and granddaughters Samantha (Brandon), Alesha (Josh), Marissa (Dustin); Arlene (Andrew) and grandson Tristan and
granddaughter Kami and sister in law Grace McVitti and many nieces, nephews, cousins and other family members.

Joy was also predeceased by her parents Charles and Cora Colenutt; her brothers Cecil (Alma), Edgar (Birdie), Roy (Mabel), Orville (Jean), Basil (Bessie), Howard (Ethel) and her sisters Joan (Ralph) Tanner and Leona.

Due to Covid 19 restrictions a private graveside memorial service was held on May 30 th , 11:00 a.m. at the Davidson Cemetery, Davidson, SK with Ursula Wiig officiating.

A Celebration of Joy’s life will be held at a later date. For friends so
wishing, memorial donations in memory of Joy may be directed to the Davidson United Church or to Davidson Health Trust Fund (cheques payable to the Town of Davidson) or to a charity of
choice.

The family would like to thank all of the staff at the Health Care Centre for their care that their mother received while she resided at the home.

Hanson’s Funeral Home of Davidson is in care of arrangements.

COVID-19 UPDATE: FOUR NEW CASES, ONE IN HOSPITAL, TWO DEATHS REPORTED

There are four new cases of COVID-19 in Saskatchewan to report on June 8, 2020; three in Saskatoon and one in the Far North region.

Two residents of the Far North region who tested positive for COVID-19 have died: one individual was in their 60s and the second was in their 70s. This brings the total number of deaths in the province to 13.

Of the 654 reported COVID-19 cases in Saskatchewan, 17 are considered active. A total of 624 individuals have recovered.

There is currently one person in intensive care, in Saskatoon.
Of the 654 cases in the province:
• 144 cases are travellers;
• 393 are community contacts (including mass gatherings);
• 79 have no known exposures; and
• 38 are under investigation by local public health.

Overall in Saskatchewan:
• 51 cases are health care workers; however, the source of the infections may not be related to health care in all instances.
• 260 of the cases are from the Far North, 173 are from the Saskatoon area, 112 from the North, 80 from the Regina area, 17 from the South and 12 from the Central region.
• 98 cases involve people 19 years of age and under, while the remainder are adults.
• 232 cases are in the 20-39 age range; 199 are in the 40-59 age range; 107 are in the 60-79 age range; and 18 are in the 80-plus range.
• 52 per cent of the cases are females and 48 per cent are males.
• 13 deaths related to COVID-19 have been reported to date.

To date, 52,229 COVID-19 tests have been performed in the province. As of June 6, 2020, when other provincial and national numbers were last available from the Public Health Agency of Canada, Saskatchewan’s per capita rate was 39,640 people tested per million population. The national rate was 50,462 people tested per million population.

Phase 3 Begins, Outdoor Playgrounds and Beaches to Open June 12

Phase 3 of Re-Open Saskatchewan begins today, June 8, 2020.

Effective today, restaurants and licensed establishments are able to open at 50 per cent capacity, personal care services not opened in Phase 2 are permitted to open, and gyms and other fitness facilities are able to open.

Guidelines are now posted to assist the re-opening of places of worship and child care facilities as part of Phase 3.

Limits on public and private gatherings have now been increased to a maximum of 15 indoors and 30 outdoors. The government has also announced that outdoor playgrounds and beaches and associated washrooms can re-open on Friday, June 12.

Guidelines for these facilities will be included in the Re-Open Saskatchewan plan later today and will include measures such as maintaining physical distancing, frequent handwashing and enhanced cleaning and disinfection of rental equipment and washrooms.

Effective today, travel restrictions in Northwest Saskatchewan have been lifted, and the Northern Village of La Loche has moved into phases 1 and 2 of the Re-Open Saskatchewan plan. The Government of Saskatchewan and the Chief Medical Health Officer continue to carefully monitor the transmission of COVID-19 to inform decisions regarding the pace at which restrictions can be lifted or put back in place if required.

Emergency Rooms Re-Opening

The Saskatchewan Health Authority will soon be re-opening eight of the 12 regional emergency rooms temporarily closed as part of the health system readiness plan as hospitals have been converted to alternate level of care sites across the province. This helped build capacity for any potential surge in COVID-19 cases and to protect against outbreaks in the medical facilities.

Target timelines in each of the eight communities set to re-open ERs in June:
• June 12 – Kerrobert
• June 16 – Leader and Arcola
• June 18 – Preeceville
• June 22 – Biggar and Oxbow
• June 24 – Davidson
• June 25 – Herbert

Please note that these dates may be subject to the status of active COVID-19 positive cases and ability to meet all required safety criteria and human resourcing requirements for re-opening. The SHA continues to work on ER resumption planning for the four community hospitals in Broadview, Radville, Lanigan and Wolseley.

Domestic Flights

Posted Travel information related to COVID-19, including all flights returning to Saskatchewan with a confirmed case of COVID-19 are available on the Public Health Agency of Canada website. Two domestic flights have been added: AC 1129 Toronto-Saskatoon on May 29 and WS 3370 Calgary-Saskatoon on May 30 (https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/latest-travel-health-advice/exposure-flights-cruise-ships-mass-gatherings.html).

COVID-19 Testing Expanded

Testing for COVID-19 is also now available to anyone currently working outside the home, or anyone returning to work as part of the Re-Open Saskatchewan plan.

Testing is also available to:
• Those being admitted to acute care for more than 24 hours, including expectant mothers.
• Immunocompromised individuals and their health care providers.

If you are experiencing symptoms of fever, cough, shortness of breath, headaches, aches and pains, sore throat, chills, runny nose or a loss of your sense of taste or smell, contact HealthLine 811 or your family physician for advice on whether you should be tested for COVID-19. You can also take the online self-assessment at www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19.

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.

COVID-19 Update: No New Cases, 12 More Recoveries, One In Hospital

There are no (0) new cases of COVID-19 in Saskatchewan to report on June 7, 2020, keeping the total at 650 reported cases.

Of the 650 reported COVID-19 cases in Saskatchewan, 16 are considered active. Twelve more people have recovered for a total of have been 623.

There is currently one person in intensive care in Saskatoon.

Of the 650 cases in the province:

143 cases are travellers;
391 are community contacts (including mass gatherings);
79 have no known exposures; and
37 are under investigation by local public health.

Overall in Saskatchewan:

51 cases are health care workers; however, the source of the infections may not be related to health care in all instances.
259 of the cases are from the Far North, 170 are from the Saskatoon area, 112 from the North, 80 from the Regina area, 17 from the South and 12 from the Central region.
97 cases involve people 19 years of age and under, while the remainder are adults.
230 cases are in the 20-39 age range; 199 are in the 40-59 age range; 106 are in the 60-79 age range; and 18 are in the 80-plus range.
52 per cent of the cases are females and 48 per cent are males.
11 deaths related to COVID-19 have been reported to date.
To date, 51,693 COVID-19 tests have been performed in the province. As of June 5, 2020, when other provincial and national numbers were last available from the Public Health Agency of Canada, Saskatchewan’s per capita rate was 39,267 people tested per million population. The national rate was 49,702 people tested per million population.

If you are experiencing symptoms of fever, cough, shortness of breath, headaches, aches and pains, sore throat, chills, runny nose or a loss of your sense of taste or smell, contact HealthLine 811 or your family physician for advice on whether you should be tested for COVID-19. You can also take the online self-assessment at www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19.

Testing for COVID-19 is also now available to anyone currently working outside the home, or anyone returning to work as part of the Re-Open Saskatchewan plan.

Testing is also available to:

Those being admitted to acute care for more than 24 hours, including expectant mothers.
Immunocompromised individuals and their health care providers.
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.

COVID-19 UPDATE: ONE NEW CASE, RECOVERIES REMAIN AT 611, ONE IN HOSPITAL

There is one new case of COVID-19 to report on June 6, 2020, bringing the provincial total to 650. The new case is in the Far North region.

Of the 650 reported cases, 28 are considered active. Recoveries remain at 611.

There is currently one person in intensive care in Saskatoon.

Of the 650 cases in the province:
• 143 cases are travellers;
• 391 are community contacts (including mass gatherings);
• 79 have no known exposures; and
• 37 are under investigation by local public health.

Overall in Saskatchewan:
• 51 cases are health care workers; however, the source of the infections may not be related to health care in all instances.
• 259 of the cases are from the Far North, 170 are from the Saskatoon area, 112 from the North, 80 from the Regina area, 17 from the South and 12 from the Central region.
• 97 cases involve people 19 years of age and under, while the remainder are adults.
• 230 cases are in the 20-39 age range; 199 are in the 40-59 age range; 106 are in the 60-79 age range; and 18 are in the 80-plus range.
• 52 per cent of the cases are females and 48 per cent are males.
• 11 deaths related to COVID-19 have been reported to date.

To date, 51,181 COVID-19 tests have been performed in the province. As of June 4, 2020, when other provincial and national numbers were last available from the Public Health Agency of Canada, Saskatchewan’s per capita rate was 38,846 people tested per million population. The national rate was 48,547 people tested per million population.

If you are experiencing symptoms of fever, cough, shortness of breath, headaches, aches and pains, sore throat, chills, runny nose or a loss of your sense of taste or smell, contact HealthLine 811 or your family physician for advice on whether you should be tested for COVID-19. You can also take the online self-assessment at www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19.

Testing for COVID-19 is also now available to anyone currently working outside the home, or anyone returning to work as part of the Re-Open Saskatchewan plan.

Testing is also available to:
• Those being admitted to acute care for more than 24 hours, including expectant mothers.
• Immunocompromised individuals and their health care providers.

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.