All posts by Dan Senick

Davidson

COVID-19 UPDATE: FOUR NEW CASES, 14 MORE RECOVERIES, FIVE IN HOSPITAL

As of April 21, 2020, Saskatchewan has four new confirmed cases of COVID-19, bringing the provincial total to 320.

Sixty-four of the cases are considered active. Fourteen more people have recovered, bringing the provincial total to 252.

Currently, there are five people in hospitals across the province. Four people are receiving inpatient care, while one person is in intensive care.

Of the 320 cases in the province:
• 135 cases are travellers;
• 134 are community contacts (mass gatherings included);
• 31 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.
• 150 of the cases are from the Saskatoon area, 71 from the Regina area, 60 from the north, 15 from the south, 11 from the central region and 13 from the far north.
• 25 cases involve people 19 years of age and under, while the remainder are adults.
• 116 cases are in the 20-39 age range; 107 are in the 40-59 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, 24,811 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.

Obituary

Palmer, Robert “Bob”

1938 – 2020

Robert Gordon Palmer (Bob) was the oldest child born to Gordon and Hazel Palmer on July 9, 1938. He was followed by siblings Larry, Jack and Lois. The family resided west of Bladworth on the farm where they farmed. On June 16, 1962 he married Monette Wood of Girvin. They established their own yard one mile west of Bladworth where they continued to reside until their respective passings.

Bob and Monette’s passion, aside from grain farming, became purebred cattle. In 1974 they joined the Charolais Breeder association and were active for many decades. In 1983 Bob and Monette were awarded the Saskatchewan Charolais Association (SCA) Breeder of the year award, in 2001 the SCA Honor Scroll and in 2017 were presented with the Canadian Charolais Association Honor Roll. They too great pride in their cattle and were proud that their nephew Velon took an interest in the cattle and joined their operation in 1991.

Bob truly loved the farm. In the last few years as his mobility started to decline, it didn’t stop him from keeping an eye on what was going on. He still had the energy to make it to his truck in seeding and
harvest, where he would spend the day driving from field to field making sure the “boys” were doing what they should be. Nothing gave him more pride then watching his nephews Velon, Doug, Len and most recently, Hunter, putting in and harvesting the crop. He never missed a day in the field, even this past fall, when harvest seemed to go on forever. He was always waiting to give someone a ride for parts, or to help move trucks from field to field. Sometimes this involved interrupting his nap he would take while sitting in his truck, but he was always more than willing to drive anyone, anywhere.

He also loved the cattle and spent countless hours watching the cameras until the wee hours of the morning during calving season. He would sit at the kitchen table and stare at the screen for hours on
end. One of his last wishes was to attend the on farm bull sale on March 9. He had been in Davidson long term care for a few weeks prior to this, and we weren’t sure if he would be able to make it. But
thanks to the staff there, they made his last wish come true. A huge thank you to Ang Stagland and Gloria Zdunich for volunteering their time and making this happen. He was able to come out to the sale
and spent the afternoon visiting with many friends from near and far.

Bob passed away on April 7, 2020. He is survived by his nephews Velon Herback (Leah and family Hunter, Halle, Hayla, and Hinton), Len Palmer (Richelle and family Macy & Mason) and Doug Palmer
(family Jesselynne, Axel, Henry, William and Gordon). Sister, Lois Herback, sister in laws: Sylvia Palmer, Darlene Palmer and Virgie Johnson, as well as numerous other nieces, nephews and friends.

The family would like to thank Sharon O’Brien for your loyal dedication to both Bob and Monette this past year. You helped make it possible for Bob to stay in his home as long as possible after Monette’s passing in December. Also, to good friends Ken and Sharon Church who were always there to offer a ride to doctor’s appointments or simply just to visit, which Bob loved to do. Thank you also to Dr. Lang and the staff at Davidson Health Center for making his stay so comfortable the last couple of months.
He would often say “this is a pretty good place to be!”

A memorial service will follow this summer, pending gathering restrictions. Arrangements entrusted to Hanson’s Funeral Home.

Davidson

COVID-19 UPDATE: ONE NEW CASE, FOUR MORE RECOVERIES, FOUR IN HOSPITAL

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.

Davidson

COVID-19 UPDATE: TWO NEW CASES, RECOVERIES REMAIN AT 234, FOUR IN HOSPITAL

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.

Davidson

COVID-19 UPDATE: SIX NEW CASES, SIX MORE RECOVERIES, FIVE IN HOSPITAL

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.

Davidson

GOVERNMENT RELEASES PRELIMINARY REVENUE IMPACTS

The Government of Saskatchewan today provided a range of preliminary revenue impacts, using three different scenarios related to the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The potential revenue decline in 2020-21 ranges from $1.3 billion to $3.3 billion, depending on the duration of pandemic-related economic restrictions.

“We are less than three weeks into the new fiscal year and right now we just don’t know how long restrictions will remain in place in Saskatchewan, in Canada and around the world,” Finance Minister Donna Harpauer said. “That’s why it is still incredibly difficult to forecast with any certainty. We believe however it is important that we release these different scenarios, to let Saskatchewan people know just how much of an impact the pandemic is having on our economy and revenues.”

The potential revenue declines are based on three economic scenarios. Each scenario includes assumptions on a number of economic factors, including the duration of current economic restrictions, how soon resource prices may recover and anticipated consumer behaviour once restrictions are lifted.

Real GDP scenarios for 2020 are all negative and range from a decline of 4.1 per cent under the most optimistic scenario to a decline of 14.9 per cent in the most pessimistic scenario. At this time, the Government is managing spending within the amounts allocated in the budget estimates released on March 18, 2020.

“Our government has committed to provide all financial resources necessary to address the COVID-19 pandemic, and this will likely result in spending increases beyond the amounts allocated in the 2020-21 Estimates,” Harpauer said.

Harpauer pointed to strong management of the province’s finances as providing a solid fiscal foundation from which to manage the pressure from the current pandemic crisis and ultimate recovery.

Saskatchewan was on track for a surplus in 2019-20 and 2020-21 prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and oil price collapse. Saskatchewan has maintained the second highest credit rating in the country, continues to have among the lowest net-debts as a percentage of GDP and continues to maintain a solid cash position.

“The 2020-21 deficit is not a structural deficit,” Harpauer said. “It is a pandemic deficit. Saskatchewan will manage through this, because we have the strength, the foundation and the people to do it.”