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.

As of April 15, 2020, Saskatchewan has three new, confirmed cases of COVID-19, bringing the provincial total to 304. Ninety-five of the cases are considered active.

Eighteen more people have recovered, bringing the provincial total to 205.

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

Of the 304 cases in the province:
• 131 cases are travellers;
• 122 are community contacts (mass gatherings included);
• 30 have no known exposures; and
• 21 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, 67 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.
• 130 cases are in the 20-44 age range; 101 are in the 45-64 age range; and 51 are in the 65-plus range.
• 53 per cent of the cases are males and 47 per cent are females.
• Four deaths related to COVID-19 have been reported to date.

To date, 20,907 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.
 
COVID-19 Information for Businesses

For businesses that remain open during the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s essential to take the proper precautions for the safety of your customers, staff and the general public. Some of the precautions for businesses are similar to those in your personal lives – maintain proper physical distancing and frequently wash your hands. However, there are also many things to consider that are specific to businesses.

The Government of Saskatchewan has many resources available online – from public health measures in the workplace, to support programs for workers and businesses, to how to manage staffing and leaves during the pandemic.

The COVID-19 Workplace Information fact sheet can also be found online at https://www.saskatchewan.ca/government/health-care-administration-and-provider-resources/treatment-procedures-and-guidelines/emerging-public-health-issues/2019-novel-coronavirus/public-health-measures/workplaces. It provides many helpful tips and suggestions on a variety of topics, including cleaning, disinfection and personal protective equipment; worker health; delivery and mail; food and accommodations; and transportation.

For more information, please visit the Information for Businesses and Workers section at www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID-19.

As of April 14, 2020, Saskatchewan has one new, confirmed case of COVID-19, bringing the provincial total to 301.

One hundred and ten of the cases are considered active. Nine more people have recovered, bringing the provincial total to 187.

Currently, there are seven people in hospitals across the province receiving inpatient care.

Of the 301 cases in the province:
• 131 cases are travellers;
• 121 are community contacts (mass gatherings included);
• 27 have no known exposures; and
• 22 are under investigation by local public health.

Overall in Saskatchewan:
• 34 of the cases are health care workers, with 19 of them now recovered. Please note the source of the infections may not be related to health care in all instances.
• 147 of the cases are from the Saskatoon area, 65 from the Regina area, 57 from the north, 15 from the south, 10 from the central region and seven from the far north.
• 21 cases involve people 19 years of age and under, while the remainder are adults.
• 129 cases are in the 20-44 age range; 100 are in the 45-64 age range; and 51 are in the 65-plus range.
• 53 per cent of the cases are males and 47 per cent are females.
• Four deaths related to COVID-19 have been reported to date.

To date, 20,282 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.

As of April 13, 2020, Saskatchewan has two new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total to 300 reported cases.

The total number of cases includes two presumptive cases reported April 12, which have now been confirmed. There are no outstanding presumptive cases.

Of the total number of reported cases, 118 cases are considered active.

Fourteen more people have recovered, bringing the provincial total to 178.

There are eight people in hospital who are all receiving inpatient care. No one is in intensive care.

Of the 300 cases in the province:
• 131 cases are travel related;
• 120 are contacts or linked to mass gatherings;
• 27 have no known exposures; and
• 22 are under investigation by local public health.

Overall in Saskatchewan:
• 33 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, 65 from the Regina area, 56 from the north, 15 from the south, 10 from the central region and seven from the far north.
• 21 cases involve people 19 years of age and under, while the remainder are adults.
• 129 cases are in the 20-44 age range; 100 are in the 45-64 age range; and 50 are in the 65-plus range.
• 53 per cent of the cases are males and 47 per cent are females.
• Four deaths related to COVID-19 have been reported to date.

To date, 19,804 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.

Farms are Essential Workplaces

With seeding coming, all producers and agriculture industry partners who serve those producers must ensure their occupational health and safety guidelines are up to date and in force to prevent the transmission of respiratory illnesses.

Follow all preventative measures to stop the transmission of COVID-19 in your yard, shop and field.
• All travellers returning from international destinations – including the U.S. – are subject to a mandatory self-isolation order.
• Anyone identified by a Medical Health Officer as a close contact of someone with COVID-19 shall go into mandatory self-isolation for 14 days from the date of having been exposed.
• Actively monitor for symptoms. At the first sign of cough or fever, immediately self-isolate for 14 days.
• Practice physical distancing in the workplace, including those workplaces that are outdoors. Maintain a two-metre separation between individuals.
• Wash your hands often. Cough or sneeze into your elbow or tissue and wash your hands immediately.
• Frequently disinfect shared surfaces and equipment like vehicles, tools, doorknobs, work benches, etc.

For more information on COVID-19 and agriculture, including access to the Farm Stress Line, visit https://www.saskatchewan.ca/business/agriculture-natural-resources-and-industry/agribusiness-farmers-and-ranchers/sask-ag-now/covid-19-information-for-producers-and-agribusiness/support-for-producers-covid-19

With Even Mild Symptoms, Stay Home

Everyone must play their part to prevent the transmission of COVID-19, no matter the size or location of their community.

The Financial and Consumer Affairs Authority (FCAA) is warning the public to exercise extreme caution about aggressive promotion of Crestview Exploration Inc., a B.C. gold mining company.

A mailing sent this week from a “stock analyst and geologist” to
residents of B.C., Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan makes exaggerated claims about Crestview, predicting that its stock price “will soar as the recession hits.” The letter comes in an envelope, without a return address, that says in bold red letters, “CORONAVIRUS AFFECTING MARKETS: READ NOW.”
“The short-term upside potential for investors buying shares of Crestview Exploration today is around 500% while long-term shareholders (12+ months) could see gains exceeding 2,400%,” the letter says.

Crestview, listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, issued a statement April 8 stating that it was not responsible for the promotion, and said the letter contained “unfounded forward-looking statements.” The company urged investors and potential investors to verify any statements, and the source of such statements, contained in buy recommendations.

The FCAA reminds investors to exercise caution when considering aggressive promotions as a basis for investment decisions, as these promotions may make false claims of large profits and baseless stock price projections. Most aggressive stock promotions in recent years have been done through unsolicited email or social media, but promotions delivered through the mail carry the same risks.

The FCAA encourages anyone who is considering buying or selling an investment to do research or talk to their registered investment advisor to ensure it is an appropriate decision.

For information on how to become a better informed investor visit
https://fcaa.gov.sk.ca/consumers-investors-pension-plan-members/investors
https://fcaa.gov.sk.ca/consumers-investors-pension-plan-members/investors.