As of April 20, 2020, Saskatchewan has one new case of COVID-19, bringing the total to 316 reported cases. All cases are confirmed.

Seventy-four of the 316 reported cases are considered active.

Four more people have recovered, bringing the total number of recoveries to 238.

There are four people in hospital; including three who are receiving inpatient care and one person in intensive care.

Of the 316 cases in the province:
• 134 cases are travel related;
• 132 are contacts or linked to mass gatherings;
• 30 have no known exposures; and
• 20 are under investigation by local public health.

Overall in Saskatchewan:
• 35 of the cases are health care workers; however, the source of the infections may not be related to health care in all instances.
• 149 of the cases are from the Saskatoon area, 70 from the Regina area, 60 from the north, 15 from the south, 11 from the central region and 11 from the far north.
• 24 cases involve people 19 years of age and under, while the remainder are adults.
• 114 cases are in the 20-39 age range; 106 are in the 40 to 59 age range; 63 are in the 60-79 age range; and nine are in the 80-plus range.
• 52 per cent of the cases are males and 48 per cent are females.
• Four deaths related to COVID-19 have been reported to date.

To date, 24,412 COVID-19 tests have been performed in the province.

Saskatchewan continues to have the second highest rate of testing per capita among provinces that have reported. Case surveillance and testing information, including regional locations of cases, is available at www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19.

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

Maintain Your Distance as the Weather Warms

After a month of taking preventative measures, such as staying home and maintaining physical distancing, it will be tempting to get outside to enjoy the warmer temperatures forecasted for many areas across Saskatchewan over the coming days.

Please remember that all measures through the public health orders remain in effect to stop the spread of COVID-19.

Things to keep in mind when going outside:
• Maintain a distance of two metres from other people
• Avoid shared public surfaces
• Keep children away from group settings
• Wash your hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds when returning home

Provincial parks remain closed. Check with local municipalities regarding playgrounds, as many communities, including Saskatoon and Regina, have closed playgrounds to prevent contact with equipment and commonly touched surfaces which may not be cleaned regularly.

As of April 19, 2020, Saskatchewan has two new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total to 315 reported cases. The total number of cases still includes one presumptive case reported April 18.

Seventy-seven of the 315 reported cases are considered active.

The total number of recoveries remains at 234.

There are four people in hospital; including three who are receiving inpatient care and one person in intensive care.

Of the 315 cases in the province:
• 134 cases are travel related;
• 132 are contacts or linked to mass gatherings;
• 29 have no known exposures; and
• 20 are under investigation by local public health.

Overall in Saskatchewan:
• 35 of the cases are health care workers; however, the source of the infections may not be related to health care in all instances.
• 149 of the cases are from the Saskatoon area, 70 from the Regina area, 59 from the north, 15 from the south, 11 from the central region and 11 from the far north.
• 24 cases involve people 19 years of age and under, while the remainder are adults.
• 114 cases are in the 20-39 age range; 106 are in the 40 to 59 age range; 63 are in the 60-79 age range; and eight are in the 80-plus range.
• 52 per cent of the cases are males and 48 per cent are females.
• Four deaths related to COVID-19 have been reported to date.

To date, 23,909 COVID-19 tests have been performed in the province. Saskatchewan continues to have the second highest rate of testing per capita among provinces that have reported. Case surveillance and testing information, including regional locations of cases, is available at www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19.
 
Public inquiries may be directed to COVID19@health.gov.sk.ca.

As of April 18, 2020, Saskatchewan has three new confirmed cases and three new presumptive cases of COVID-19, bringing the total to 313 reported cases.

Today’s numbers include the La Loche area cases tested to date that were referenced during the April 17 COVID-19 media availability by the Chief Medical Health Officer.

Seventy-five of the 313 reported cases are considered active.

Six more people have recovered, bringing the provincial total to 234.

There are five people in hospital; including four who are receiving inpatient care and one person in intensive care.

Of the 313 cases in the province:
• 134 cases are travel related;
• 132 are contacts or linked to mass gatherings;
• 29 have no known exposures; and
• 18 are under investigation by local public health.

Overall in Saskatchewan:
• 35 of the cases are health care workers; however, the source of the infections may not be related to health care in all instances.
• 148 of the cases are from the Saskatoon area, 70 from the Regina area, 59 from the north, 15 from the south, 11 from the central region and 10 from the far north.
• 23 cases involve people 19 years of age and under, while the remainder are adults.
• 114 cases are in the 20-39 age range; 105 are in the 40 to 59 age range; 63 are in the 60-79 age range; and eight are in the 80-plus range.
• 52 per cent of the cases are males and 48 per cent are females.
• Four deaths related to COVID-19 have been reported to date.

To date, 23,092 COVID-19 tests have been performed in the province. Saskatchewan continues to have the second highest rate of testing per capita among provinces that have reported.

Case surveillance and testing information, including regional locations of cases, is available at www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19.

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

Guidance for Drive-In or Remote Worship Services

Updated guidance has been issued for places of worship to engage with congregants, while following the public health order restricting gatherings to no more than 10 people.

Services may be delivered:
• Online (via Zoom, YouTube, etc.), as long as no more than 10 people are in the place of worship at one time and are strictly observing all social distancing protocols.
• As drive-in services where individuals remain in their vehicles with no contact between worshippers, and only individuals from the same household occupy the same vehicle.
• Drive-in services must be in designated parking lots or staging areas and also meet the following conditions:
o Event organizers need adequate measures to keep people from leaving their vehicles while at the service.
o Vehicles must be separated by at least two metres.
o Access to facilities, including washrooms, is discouraged. Where washroom access must be provided, provisions must be made to ensure frequent cleaning and disinfection throughout the event.
o Appropriate social distancing practices between persons who need to leave the vehicle to access washroom facilities is maintained at all times.
o No food or beverage service.
o All other services must be suspended including picnic areas and play areas.
o Anyone who is unwell or symptomatic must remain home.
o Event organizers are required to provide proposals and field questions to local public health officials to ensure the event does not risk transmission of COVID-19.

As of April 17, 2020, Saskatchewan has one new case and one new presumptive case of COVID-19, bringing the total to 307 reported cases.

Seventy-five of the 307 reported cases are considered active.

Nine more people have recovered, bringing the provincial total to 228.

There are six people in hospital; including five who are receiving inpatient care and one person in intensive care.

The age categories of persons with COVID-19 has also been changed to more closely align with national data, now that there is sufficient numbers to protect privacy. Information is now being reported on the following age ranges: 19 and under, ages 20 to 39, ages 40 to 59, ages 60 to 79, and ages 80 plus.

Of the 307 cases in the province:
• 133 cases are travel related;
• 129 are contacts or linked to mass gatherings;
• 29 have no known exposures; and
• 16 are under investigation by local public health.

Overall in Saskatchewan:
• 35 of the cases are health care workers; however, the source of the infections may not be related to health care in all instances.
• 147 of the cases are from the Saskatoon area, 69 from the Regina area, 58 from the north, 15 from the south, 10 from the central region and eight from the far north.
• 23 cases involve people 19 years of age and under, while the remainder are adults.
• 110 cases are in the 20-39 age range; 105 are in the 40 to 59 age range; 62 are in the 60-79 age range; and seven are in the 80-plus range.
• 52 per cent of the cases are males and 48 per cent are females.
• Four deaths related to COVID-19 have been reported to date.

To date, 22,207 COVID-19 tests have been performed in the province. Saskatchewan continues to have the second highest rate of testing per capita among provinces that have reported.

Case surveillance and testing information, including regional locations of cases, is available at www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19.

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

Public Health Order Amended to Protect Vulnerable Seniors

As of April 17, the Chief Medical Health Officer’s public health order has been updated to include:
• As of April 28, 2020, long-term care and personal care homes must ensure that each staff member works in only one facility. A care home may seek approval from a medical health officer to permit a staff member to work in more than one facility if they are unable to ensure adequate staffing levels as a result of complying with this order.

This public health order now also includes personal care homes and formalizes existing requirements for long-term care and affiliate care homes:
• All staff members in long-term care, personal care and affiliate care homes must undergo a health screening prior to entry to the facility, including a temperature check.
• At all times while on shift, all staff members in long-term care, personal care, and affiliate care homes shall wear, at minimum, a procedural/surgical mask. Additional personal protective equipment may be required to perform care or procedures, and those guidelines must be followed.

The screening and personal protective equipment measures also apply to the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency facilities and staff.

Visitor Restrictions Remain in Effect

Visitors to long-term care homes, hospitals, personal care homes, and group homes shall be restricted to family or designates visiting for compassionate reasons according to the facility policy.

All visitors will undergo additional health screening before being allowed entry. Any visitor who displays or discloses signs or symptoms of COVID-19 will not be able to enter the health care setting.

As of April 16, 2020, Saskatchewan has one new confirmed case of COVID-19, bringing the provincial total to 305. Eighty-two of the cases are considered active.

Fourteen more people have recovered, bringing the provincial total to 219.

Currently, there are seven people in hospitals across the province receiving inpatient care. No one is in intensive care.

Of the 305 cases in the province:
• 132 cases are travellers;
• 124 are community contacts (mass gatherings included);
• 29 have no known exposures; and
• 20 are under investigation by local public health.

Overall in Saskatchewan:
• 34 of the cases are health care workers; however, the source of the infections may not be related to health care in all instances.
• 147 of the cases are from the Saskatoon area, 68 from the Regina area, 58 from the north, 15 from the south, 10 from the central region and seven from the far north.
• 22 cases involve people 19 years of age and under, while the remainder are adults.
• 131 cases are in the 20-44 age range; 101 are in the 45-64 age range; and 51 are in the 65-plus range.
• 52 per cent of the cases are males and 48 per cent are females.
• Four deaths related to COVID-19 have been reported to date.

To date, 21,569 COVID-19 tests have been performed in the province. Saskatchewan continues to have the second highest rate of testing per capita among the provinces.

Case surveillance and testing information, including regional locations of confirmed cases, is available at www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19.

Public inquiries may be directed to COVID19@health.gov.sk.ca.
 
Don’t Delay Necessary Non-COVID-19 Care

People needing emergency or non-urgent medical care not related to COVID-19 are reminded to continue seeking treatment. Emergency departments and family practices are open and receiving patients. Delaying visits for necessary care may affect your health.

Similar to other businesses, family doctors are changing how patients are being received in their clinics. Rather than postponing appointments or delaying seeing a doctor, contact the physician’s office to ask about options for the visit, including phone and video consultations.