As of May 19, 2020, Saskatchewan has seven new confirmed cases of COVID-19, bringing the provincial total to 599.

All of the new cases are in the Far North (four cases in Beauval and three in La Loche).  Of the 599 reported cases, 123 are considered active.

Fifteen more people have recovered, bringing the provincial total to 470.

There are currently five people in hospital – two are receiving inpatient care (one in Saskatoon and one in Regina) and three are in intensive care (all in Saskatoon).

Of the 599 cases in the province:

139 cases are travellers;
323 are community contacts (including mass gatherings);
69 have no known exposures; and
68 are under investigation by local public health.
Overall in Saskatchewan:

48 cases are health care workers; however, the source of the infections may not be related to health care in all instances.

226 of the cases are from the Far North, 164 are from the Saskatoon area, 106 from the North, 76 from the Regina area, 15 from the South and 12 from the Central region.

84 cases involve people 19 years of age and under, while the remainder are adults. 216 cases are in the 20-39 age range; 182 are in the 40-59 age range; 99 are in the 60-79 age range; and 18 are in the 80-plus range.

51 per cent of the cases are females and 49 per cent are males.

Six deaths related to COVID-19 have been reported to date.

To date, 41,606 COVID-19 tests have been performed in the province. As of May 17, 2020, when other provincial and national numbers were available from the Public Health Agency of Canada, Saskatchewan’s per capita rate was 32,097 people tested per million population, while the national rate was 35,118 people tested per million population.

Northern Travel Order Amended

As the risk of transmission of COVID-19 has regionalized in the Northern Saskatchewan Administration District, the public health order has been amended to only have travel restrictions applied to the northwest region. Travel to and from all other areas of the north – commercial, domestic and recreational as outlined in the Re-Open Saskatchewan plan – is permitted starting today.

The public health order will include clarity for northwestern community leaders, residents and checkpoint staff to ensure that people can obtain essential goods and services when travelling for medical purposes. Municipalities, First Nations and recreational subdivisions that will remain under the current public health order restricting non-essential travel are: Bear Creek, Beauval, Birch Narrows, Dene Nation, Black Point, Buffalo Narrows, Buffalo River, Dene Nation, Canoe Lake First Nation, Clearwater River Dene Nation, Cole Bay, Descharme Lake, Dillon, Dore Lake, English River First Nation, Garson Lake, Green Lake, Ile a la Crosse, Jan’s Bay, Lac La Plonge, La Loche, Little Amyot Lake, Michel Village, Patuanak, St. George’s Hill, Sled Lake, and Turnor Lake.

This list will be updated as the risk of COVID-19 transmission changes.

Practise Preventative Measures as Retail Re-Opens

As the Re-Open Saskatchewan plan moves into Phase 2 today, retail operations can now open for business. That doesn’t mean that everyone should go out simply for the sake of shopping again. Instead, go on days when there is less crowding and there are items you need. Please remember that we’re not returning to business as usual, but we’re moving forward in our new normal.

Keep these in mind:

To keep everyone safe, respect the rules of the businesses you visit;
Go outside instead of loitering in stores or malls;
Do not gather in groups;
Now is not the time to browse – only shop for what you need;
If you purchase food at malls or stores, it must be taken home to eat. Seating areas remain closed and eating is not allowed in other areas; and All elements of the public health order remain in effect.

If you are experiencing symptoms of fever, cough or shortness of breath, 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.

As of May 18, 2020, Saskatchewan has no (0) new confirmed cases of COVID-19, keeping the provincial total at 592.

Of the 592 reported cases, 131 are considered active. Eleven more people have recovered, bringing the provincial total to 455.

There are currently five people in hospital – two are receiving inpatient care (one in the Saskatoon and one in Regina) and three are in intensive care (all in Saskatoon).

Hospitalizations are counted under the location of the hospitalization, not the patient’s residence. Active cases are included in the number for their region of residence.

Of the 592 cases in the province:

139 cases are travellers;
321 are community contacts (including mass gatherings);
69 have no known exposures; and
63 are under investigation by local public health.

Overall in Saskatchewan:

48 cases are health care workers; however, the source of the infections may not be related to health care in all instances.

219 of the cases are from the Far North, 164 are from the Saskatoon area, 106 from the North, 76 from the Regina area, 15 from the South and 12 from the Central region.

83 cases involve people 19 years of age and under, while the remainder are adults. 210 cases are in the 20-39 age range; 182 are in the 40-59 age range; 99 are in the 60-79 age range; and 18 are in the 80-plus range.

49 per cent of the cases are males and 51 per cent are females.

Six deaths related to COVID-19 have been reported to date.

To date, 41,159 COVID-19 tests have been performed in the province. As of May 16, 2020, when other provincial and national numbers were available from the Public Health Agency of Canada, Saskatchewan’s per capita rate was 31,847 people tested per million population and was lower than the national rate of 34,498 people tested per million population.

If you are experiencing symptoms of fever, cough or shortness of breath, 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.

As of May 17, 2020, Saskatchewan has one new confirmed case of COVID-19, bringing the provincial total to 592.

The new case is in the Far North region. Of the 592 reported cases, 142 are considered active.

Eleven more people have recovered, bringing the provincial total to 444.

There are currently five people in hospital – two are receiving inpatient care (one in the Saskatoon and one in Regina) and three are in intensive care (all in Saskatoon).

Hospitalizations are counted under the location of the hospitalization, not the patient’s residence. Active cases are included in the number for their region of residence.

Of the 592 cases in the province:
• 139 cases are travellers;
• 320 are community contacts (including mass gatherings);
• 68 have no known exposures; and
• 65 are under investigation by local public health.

Overall in Saskatchewan:
• 48 cases are health care workers; however, the source of the infections may not be related to health care in all instances.
• 219 of the cases are from the Far North, 164 are from the Saskatoon area, 106 from the North, 76 from the Regina area, 15 from the South and 12 from the Central region.
• 83 cases involve people 19 years of age and under, while the remainder are adults.
• 210 cases are in the 20-39 age range; 182 are in the 40-59 age range; 99 are in the 60-79 age range; and 18 are in the 80-plus range.
• 49 per cent of the cases are males and 51 per cent are females.
• Six deaths related to COVID-19 have been reported to date.
 
To date, 40,806 COVID-19 tests have been performed in the province. As of May 15, 2020, when other provincial and national numbers are available from the Public Health Agency of Canada, Saskatchewan’s per capita rate was 31,348 people tested per million population and was lower than the national rate of 33,669 people tested per million population.

If you are experiencing symptoms of fever, cough or shortness of breath, 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.

As of May 16, 2020, Saskatchewan has one new confirmed case of COVID-19, bringing the provincial total to 591.

The new case is in the Saskatoon region. Of the 591 reported cases, 152 are considered active.

Twenty-five more people have recovered, bringing the provincial total to 433.

There are currently eight people in hospital – five are receiving inpatient care (one in the North, two in Saskatoon and two in Regina) and three are in intensive care (all in Saskatoon).

Hospitalizations are counted under the location of the hospitalization, not the patient’s residence. Active cases are included in the number for their region of residence.

Of the 591 cases in the province:
• 139 cases are travellers;
• 320 are community contacts (including mass gatherings);
• 68 have no known exposures; and
• 64 are under investigation by local public health.

Overall in Saskatchewan:
• 48 cases are health care workers; however, the source of the infections may not be related to health care in all instances.
• 218 of the cases are from the Far North, 164 are from the Saskatoon area, 106 from the North, 76 from the Regina area, 15 from the South and 12 from the Central region.
• 83 cases involve people 19 years of age and under, while the remainder are adults.
• 209 cases are in the 20-39 age range; 182 are in the 40-59 age range; 99 are in the 60-79 age range; and 18 are in the 80-plus range.
• 49 per cent of the cases are females and 51 per cent are males.
• Six deaths related to COVID-19 have been reported to date.
 
To date, 40,097 COVID-19 tests have been performed in the province. As of May 14, 2020, when other provincial and national numbers were available from the Public Health Agency of Canada, Saskatchewan’s per capita rate was 30,726 people tested per million population, which is slightly below the national rate of 32,802 people tested per million population. This is due to decreased demand for testing, not a drop in testing capacity, due to the success of preventative measures and the reduction in positive cases in many areas of the province.

Regina Case Investigation

An investigation has concluded that the COVID-19 case admitted to Pasqua Hospital is a community-acquired case and does not constitute a hospital outbreak.

Thus far, all testing of staff and contacts are negative.

Appropriate precautions continue within the Pasqua Hospital, as health care staff work diligently to care for Saskatchewan residents while helping to stop the spread of COVID-19.

If you are experiencing symptoms of fever, cough or shortness of breath, 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.

As of May 15, 2020, Saskatchewan has eight new confirmed cases of COVID-19, bringing the provincial total to 590.

All of the new cases are the Far North (five in La Loche and three in Beauval). Of the 590 reported cases, 176 are considered active.

Ten more people have recovered, bringing the provincial total to 408.

There are currently nine people in hospital – six are receiving inpatient care (one in the North, three in Saskatoon and two in Regina) and three are in intensive care (all in Saskatoon).

Please note that hospitalizations are attributed to the location of the hospitalization, not the patient’s residence.

Of the 590 cases in the province:

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

Overall in Saskatchewan:

48 cases are health care workers; however, the source of the infections may not be related to health care in all instances.

218 of the cases are from the Far North, 163 are from the Saskatoon area, 106 from the North, 76 from the Regina area, 15 from the South and 12 from the Central region.

83 cases involve people 19 years of age and under, while the remainder are adults.

209 cases are in the 20-39 age range; 181 are in the 40-59 age range; 99 are in the 60-79 age range; and 18 are in the 80-plus range.

49 per cent of the cases are females and 51 per cent are males.

Six deaths related to COVID-19 have been reported to date.

To date, 39,233 COVID-19 tests have been performed in the province. As of May 13, 2020, when other provincial and national numbers were available from the Public Health Agency of Canada, Saskatchewan’s per capita rate was 30,366 people tested per million population, which is slightly below the national rate of 31,915 people tested per million population. This is due to decreased demand for testing, not a drop in testing capacity, due to the success of preventative measures and the reduction in positive cases in many areas of the province.

COVID-19 Website Update

The Government of Saskatchewan website now includes more interactive, user-friendly information on COVID-19 cases.

Visit https://www.saskatchewan.ca/government/health-care-administration-and-provider-resources/treatment-procedures-and-guidelines/emerging-public-health-issues/2019-novel-coronavirus/cases-and-risk-of-covid-19-in-saskatchewan to see information that is updated daily about new, active and recovered cases for each region. Regional testing numbers and results are also available. Historical and current data can be selected and downloaded.

If you are experiencing symptoms of fever, cough or shortness of breath, 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.

As of May 14, 2020, Saskatchewan has five new confirmed cases of COVID-19, bringing the provincial total to 582.

Four of the new cases are in the Far North (La Loche area) and one is in the Regina region.

Of the 582 reported cases, 178 are considered active. Thirteen more people have recovered, bringing the provincial total to 398.

There are currently 10 people in hospital – seven are receiving inpatient care (three in the North, three in Saskatoon and one in Regina) and three are in intensive care (all in Saskatoon).

Of the 582 cases in the province:
• 139 cases are travellers;
• 302 are community contacts (including mass gatherings);
• 67 have no known exposures; and
• 76 are under investigation by local public health.

Overall in Saskatchewan:
• 48 cases are health care workers; however, the source of the infections may not be related to health care in all instances.
• 210 of the cases are from the Far North, 163 are from the Saskatoon area, 106 from the North, 76 from the Regina area, 15 from the South and 12 from the Central region.
• 81 cases involve people 19 years of age and under, while the remainder are adults.
• 205 cases are in the 20-39 age range; 180 are in the 40-59 age range; 98 are in the 60-79 age range; and 18 are in the 80-plus range.
• 49 per cent of the cases are females and 51 per cent are males.
• Six deaths related to COVID-19 have been reported to date.

To date, 38,728 COVID-19 tests have been performed in the province. As of May 12, 2020, when other provincial and national numbers were available from the Public Health Agency of Canada, Saskatchewan’s per capita rate was 29,962 people tested per million population, which is slightly below the national rate of 31,111 people tested per million population. This is due to decreased demand for testing, not a drop in testing capacity, due to the success of preventative measures and the reduction in positive cases in many areas of the province.

COVID-19 Testing Expansion Starting Soon

COVID-19 testing will soon be available to any Saskatchewan resident working outside the home, particularly those returning to work as part of the Re-Open Saskatchewan plan.

The following at-risk populations will be proactively tested:
• All patients upon admission or in advance of a planned admission to an acute care hospital for a stay anticipated to be greater than 24 hours. This includes all expectant mothers entering a health facility to give birth.
• Immunocompromised asymptomatic individuals, including cancer patients in advance of undergoing immunosuppressive procedures such as chemotherapy.
• All health staff working with immunocompromised patients.
• Mobile (worksite) testing in high volume work settings (factories, industrial settings, etc.)
This is in addition to current testing requirements for:
• All residents identified by public health as a contact of someone known or suspected of having COVID-19.
• Individuals identified by public health at a high risk due to active spread of COVID-19 in their workplace or community.
• All residents upon admission and re-admission to long-term and personal care homes.
• All residents and staff in long-term and personal care homes upon notification of a COVID-19 positive resident or staff member.

The Saskatchewan Health Authority will establish the process to start testing this expanded list. Details on accessing testing will be provided the week of May 18.

In addition to expanded testing, the Saskatchewan Health Authority will increase active case finding in populations that are homeless or live in other vulnerable settings, and work will continue on increased active case finding with First Nations and Métis communities. Public Health will continue to identify and test individuals who are at high risk of infection due to spread of COVID-19 in their household, community or workplace.

If widespread transmission occurs in a community, a community-wide testing initiative would be implemented. The Roy Romanow Provincial Laboratory currently has the capacity to complete 1,500 tests daily, as required. All residents experiencing even mild COVID-19 symptoms are encouraged to contact 811 about being tested.

If you are experiencing symptoms of fever, cough or shortness of breath, 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.

Victoria Day Long Weekend

There are many ways to mark the official opening of Saskatchewan’s summer season, while following public health orders.

Plan activities with families or individuals in your extended household group. Visit greenspaces in and around your community. Boat launches may now be open and with camping season set to start in June, you can start planning for a safe summer season.

Whatever your May long weekend plans, remember that public health orders remain in place to prevent transmission of COVID-19, even as case numbers remain low in the southern half of the province.

Continue to practice preventative measures:
• Wash your hands frequently.
• Practice physical distancing of two metres.
• Limit contacts outside your home to the same one or two families or friends in your extended household group.
• Gatherings of 10 or more people are not permitted, even if physical distancing is used.
• Playgrounds and outdoor equipment should continue to be avoided.

Residents with cabins in the southern half of the province may visit their properties, but should stay on their own property and limit visits to local stores to only essential trips. With non-essential travel restricted in the Northern Saskatchewan Administrative District at this time, residents with cabins in the north cannot visit their properties until those travel restrictions are lifted.

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.