There are nine new cases of COVID-19 in Saskatchewan to report on June 17, 2020, bringing the provincial total to 693.

Seven of the new cases are in the Far North region and two are in the Saskatoon region.

Of the 693 reported COVID-19 cases in Saskatchewan, 47 are considered active.  A total of 633 individuals have recovered.

One person is inpatient care in Saskatoon.  One person in intensive care in Saskatoon.

Of the 693 cases in the province:

• 146 cases are travellers;
• 417 are community contacts (including mass gatherings);
• 82 have no known exposures; and
• 48 are under investigation by local public health.

Overall in Saskatchewan:

• 53 cases are health care workers; however, the source of the infections may not be related to health care in all instances.
• 284 of the cases are from the Far North, 184 are from the Saskatoon area, 112 from the North, 80 from the Regina area, 19 from the South and 12 from the Central region.
• 105 cases involve people 19 years of age and under, while the remainder are adults.
• 243 cases are in the 20-39 age range; 211 are in the 40-59 age range; 115 are in the 60-79 age range; and 19 are in the 80-plus range.
• 51 per cent of the cases are females and 49 per cent are males.
• 13 deaths related to COVID-19 have been reported to date.

To date, 57,217 COVID‐19 tests have been performed in Saskatchewan.  As of June 15, 2020, when other provincial and national numbers were available from the Public Health Agency of Canada, Saskatchewan’s per capita rate was 43,193 people tested per million population.  The national rate was 58,972 people tested per million population.

Re-Open Saskatchewan Plan

The guidelines for weddings and funerals in the Re-Open Saskatchewan plan apply to services taking place in places of worship, as well as services taking place in locations outside of places of worship.

These services, as well as outdoor graduations, must incorporate the following public health measures:

• To safely support larger groupings of individuals – and where seating area allows adequate physical distancing – multiple groups of 30 are permitted up to a maximum of 150 people.
• Within each group of 30, individuals must be separated by two metres, unless they are part of the same family.
• Other groups of 30 must be arranged in the same way, and be spaced from other groups by a minimum of five metres.
• For indoor religious or non-religious ceremonies, weddings or funerals, the total number of people participating in services cannot exceed 30 per cent of seating capacity or 150 people, whichever is less.
• No food or drink service is allowed at any of the above gatherings – indoors or outdoors.

Physical Distancing

Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Saqib Shahab is reminding Saskatchewan residents that physical distancing measures must be followed to prevent the transmission of COVID-19, even as indoor gathering sizes increase.

Effective Monday, June 22, indoor gatherings of up to 30 are only permitted where space allows for two metres of physical distancing between participants.

“You need to have enough space to have 30 people,” Dr. Shahab said.  “If you don’t have enough space for 30, invite less people.”

In general, it is better to meet less frequently, meet outdoors and meet in as small a group as possible.  Stay home if you are sick.

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.

There is one new case of COVID-19 in Saskatchewan to report on June 16, 2020, bringing the provincial total to 684.  The new case is in the Saskatoon region.

Of the 684 reported COVID-19 cases in Saskatchewan, 40 are considered active.  A total of 631 individuals have recovered.

Two people are receiving inpatient care; one in the North and one in Saskatoon.  One person in intensive care in Saskatoon.

Of the 684 cases in the province:

• 146 cases are travellers;
• 409 are community contacts (including mass gatherings);
• 81 have no known exposures; and
• 48 are under investigation by local public health.

Overall in Saskatchewan:

• 52 cases are health care workers; however, the source of the infections may not be related to health care in all instances.
• 277 of the cases are from the Far North, 182 are from the Saskatoon area, 112 from the North, 80 from the Regina area, 19 from the South and 12 from the Central region.
• 104 cases involve people 19 years of age and under, while the remainder are adults.
• 241 cases are in the 20-39 age range; 207 are in the 40-59 age range; 114 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.
• 13 deaths related to COVID-19 have been reported to date.

To date, 56,715 COVID‐19 tests have been performed in Saskatchewan.  As of June 14, 2020, when other provincial and national numbers were available from the Public Health Agency of Canada, Saskatchewan’s per capita rate was 42,855 people tested per million population.  The national rate was 58,088 people tested per million population.

Re-Open Saskatchewan Plan – Phase 4, Part 1

The date for the next phase of the Re-Open Saskatchewan plan is Monday, June 22.

On that day, activities scheduled for the first part of Phase 4 of the plan to re-open the province can get underway, including:

• child and youth day camps;
• outdoor pools and splash pads; and
• outdoor sports and activities.

Residents are advised to check with the local operator of the activities noted above regarding availability.  Some municipalities have indicated that activities, such as outdoor pools, may remain closed.

A date for the second part of Phase 4 will be announced at a later time and will include indoor pools, rinks, libraries, museums, galleries, movie theatres, casinos and bingo halls.

Gathering Sizes

Effective Monday, June 22, indoor gatherings of up to 30 are only permitted where space allows for two metres of physical distancing between participants.

For food service at indoor gatherings, potlucks are discouraged and there should be no shared platters of food or shared buffet service.  If food is being served, it should be plated.  One person should handle the preparation of food and drink following proper food safety protocols.  This reduces the number of people who touch serving utensils or drink containers.

Outdoor gatherings of up to 30 people continue to be permitted with a two metre physical separation between individuals.

Physical distancing requirements still apply both to indoor and outdoor gatherings.

Gathering sizes should be smaller if there isn’t enough space to maintain a physical distance of two metres at all times.

Remember the Fundamentals to Prevent COVID-19 Transmission

With Phase 4 of the Re-Open Plan beginning June 22, it is critical for Saskatchewan residents to remember to take precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

• indoor and outdoor gatherings must follow physical distancing rules.
• Small, infrequent gatherings are better than large, frequent gatherings.
• Outdoor gatherings are better than indoor gatherings.
• Stay home if you are sick.

 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.

There are 18 new cases of COVID-19 in Saskatchewan to report on June 15, 2020, bringing the provincial total to 683. 

Thirteen of the new cases are in the Far North.

Most are connected to a wake on June 10 and a funeral on June 11 that were the subject of a precautionary health advisory issued by the Northern Inter-Tribal Health Authority and Saskatchewan Health Authority on June 11.

Health officials want to remind the public of the importance of maintaining physical distancing practices to minimize transmission of COVID-19 and for all those who attended these events to immediately self-isolate and self-monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 for 14 days from the date of attendance.

Three of the new cases are in the Saskatoon region.  Two cases are individuals who tested positive in Saskatchewan, but who live out of province; these cases are under further investigation.

“While our numbers had been lower over the last few days, this increase is a reminder that COVID-19 is still in Saskatchewan,” Saskatchewan Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Saqib Shahab said.  “Large public gatherings increase the risk of transmission.  Everyone should continue to take precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19, including physical distancing.”

Of the 683 reported COVID-19 cases in Saskatchewan, 41 are considered active.  A total of 629 individuals have recovered.

There is currently one person in inpatient care in the North and one person in intensive care in Saskatoon.

Of the 683 cases in the province:

• 146 cases are travellers;
• 409 are community contacts (including mass gatherings);
• 80 have no known exposures; and
• 48 are under investigation by local public health.

Overall in Saskatchewan:

• 52 cases are health care workers; however, the source of the infections may not be related to health care in all instances.
• 277 of the cases are from the Far North, 181 are from the Saskatoon area, 112 from the North, 80 from the Regina area, 19 from the South and 12 from the Central region.
• 104 cases involve people 19 years of age and under, while the remainder are adults.
• 240 cases are in the 20-39 age range; 207 are in the 40-59 age range; 114 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.
• 13 deaths related to COVID-19 have been reported to date.

To date, 56,223 COVID‐19 tests have been performed in Saskatchewan.  As of June 13, 2020, when other provincial and national numbers were available from the Public Health Agency of Canada, Saskatchewan’s per capita rate was 42,439 people tested per million population.  The national rate was 57,271 people tested per million population.

Gathering Sizes

The revised Places of Worship Guidelines apply to all worship services, including celebrations of life, weddings and outdoor ceremonies.  No food is to be served in any of the above allowed gatherings and physical distancing measures still apply.

Virtual services remain the recommended option for the above services.

Restrictions remain in place for gatherings that are not worship services or graduations.

All other public and private gatherings sizes remain at a maximum of 15 people indoors and 30 people outdoors, while maintaining a two-metre physical separation both indoors and outdoors.

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. 

There is one new case of COVID-19 in Saskatchewan to report on June 14, 2020, bringing the provincial total to 665.  The new case is in Saskatoon.

Of the 665 reported COVID-19 cases in Saskatchewan, 24 are considered active.  A total of 628 individuals have recovered.

There is currently one person in inpatient care in the North and one person in intensive care in Saskatoon.

Of the 665 cases in the province:

• 146 cases are travellers;
• 401 are community contacts (including mass gatherings);
• 80 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.
• 264 of the cases are from the Far North, 178 are from the Saskatoon area, 112 from the North, 80 from the Regina area, 19 from the South and 12 from the Central region.
• 98 cases involve people 19 years of age and under, while the remainder are adults.
• 237 cases are in the 20-39 age range; 200 are in the 40-59 age range; 112 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, 55,656 COVID‐19 tests have been performed in Saskatchewan.  As of June 12, 2020, when other provincial and national numbers were available from the Public Health Agency of Canada, Saskatchewan’s per capita rate was 42,072 people tested per million population.  The national rate was 56,237 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. 

There is one new case of COVID-19 in Saskatchewan to report on June 13, 2020, bringing the provincial total to 664.  One new case is in the Far North region.

Of the 664 reported COVID-19 cases in Saskatchewan, 23 are considered active.  A total of 628 individuals have recovered.

There is currently one person in inpatient care in the North and one person in intensive care in Saskatoon.

Of the 664 cases in the province:

• 146 cases are travellers;
• 400 are community contacts (including mass gatherings);
• 80 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.
• 264 of the cases are from the Far North, 177 are from the Saskatoon area, 112 from the North, 80 from the Regina area, 19 from the South and 12 from the Central region.
• 98 cases involve people 19 years of age and under, while the remainder are adults.
• 236 cases are in the 20-39 age range; 200 are in the 40-59 age range; 112 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, 55,122 COVID-19 tests have been performed in the province.  As of June 11, 2020 when other provincial and national numbers are available from PHAC, Saskatchewan’s per capita rate was 41,639 people tested per million population.  The national rate was 55,125 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.

There are three new cases of COVID-19 in Saskatchewan to report on June 12, 2020, bringing the provincial total to 663.

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

Of the 663 reported COVID-19 cases in Saskatchewan, 23 are considered active.  A total of 627 individuals have recovered.

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

Of the 663 cases in the province:

• 146 cases are travellers;
• 399 are community contacts (including mass gatherings);
• 79 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.
• 263 of the cases are from the Far North, 177 are from the Saskatoon area, 112 from the North, 80 from the Regina area, 19 from the South and 12 from the Central region.
• 98 cases involve people 19 years of age and under, while the remainder are adults.
• 236 cases are in the 20-39 age range; 200 are in the 40-59 age range; 111 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, 54,508 COVID-19 tests have been performed in the province.  Other provincial and national numbers are not available from the Public Health Agency of Canada at this time.

Northern Inter-Tribal Health Authority and Saskatchewan Health Authority Precautionary Health Advisory – Clearwater River Dene Nation

Two individuals who attended a wake and funeral in the community of Clearwater River Dene Nation have tested positive for COVID-19.  These results have not yet been recorded by the Roy Romanow Provincial Lab, and will be reflected in the provincial report as that occurs.

As a result, the Northern Inter-Tribal Health Authority and Saskatchewan Health Authority public health officials are advising anyone who attended any of these events (wake on June 10, 2020 and funeral on June 11, 2020) to immediately self-isolate and self-monitor for symptoms for 14 days from the date of attendance.  More information can be found here: https://www.saskhealthauthority.ca/news/releases/Pages/Precautionary-Health-Advisory-%E2%80%93-Clearwater-River-Dene-Nation.aspx 

Re-Open Saskatchewan Plan

Yesterday, an updated version of the Re-Open Saskatchewan plan was released.  Below are two points of clarification:

• Outdoor sports and activities, such as baseball and soccer, cannot begin training/practicing until the first part of Phase 4. The dates for that part of the phase will be announced early next week.  The Outdoor Sports and Activities Guidelines were included in the updated plan to provide organizations with advance notice to support planning and preparations.  The guidelines have been revised to clarify the timing.
• The revised Places of Worship Guidelines apply to all worship services, including celebrations of life, weddings and outdoor ceremonies. With respect to weddings, the expanded gatherings only apply to wedding ceremonies and not wedding receptions.No food is to be served in any of the above allowed gatherings.

Provincial State of Emergency Extended and Measures Continue

The Provincial State of Emergency has been extended to June 24.

While new case numbers remain low, residents are reminded that COVID-19 is still present in Saskatchewan.

Public health orders remain in effect, including restrictions on gathering sizes that are not worship services or graduations, as noted in the Re-Open Saskatchewan plan.

All other public and private gatherings sizes remain at a maximum of 15 people indoors and 30 people outdoors, while maintaining a two-metre physical separation both indoors and outdoors.

• Small, infrequent gatherings are better than large, frequent gatherings.
• Outdoor gatherings, while observing physical distancing, are better than indoor gatherings.
• Have guests bring their own food, if possible.
• If food is served, have it plated by one person to reduce the number of people who touch serving utensils or drink containers.
• Do not share food or drink.
• Meeting with the same group is better than meeting a lot of new people.

Everyone should continue to take measures to stop the spread of COVID-19, including:

• Practice proper cough and sneezing etiquette (into a tissue or the bend of your elbow);
• Wash your hands often with soap and water; if soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer;
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth;
• Stay home if you are sick; and
• Practice physical distancing.

Do a personal risk assessment before going to any gathering.  Consider whether you or someone close to you has a chronic condition that may mean greater risk.

You should always be aware of who you have been in contact with over the past two weeks.  If you test positive for COVID-19, these are the people who will need to be contacted by public health.

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.