As of May 8, 2020, Saskatchewan has 13 new confirmed cases of COVID-19, bringing the provincial total to 544.

Twelve of the new cases are in the Far North, all in the La Loche area, while the remaining one is in the North region.

Of the 544 reported cases, 203 are considered active.

Six more people have recovered, bringing the provincial total to 335.

There are currently 19 people in hospital – 15 are receiving inpatient care (six in the North and nine in Saskatoon) and four are in intensive care (three in Saskatoon and one in the North).

Of the 544 cases in the province:
• 138 cases are travellers;
• 260 are community contacts (mass gatherings included);
• 56 have no known exposures; and
• 90 are under investigation by local public health.

Overall in Saskatchewan:
• 44 cases are health care workers; however, the source of the infections may not be related to health care in all instances.
• 179 of the cases are from the Far North, 163 are from the Saskatoon area, 100 from the North, 76 from the Regina area, 15 from the South and 11 from the Central region.
• 72 cases involve people 19 years of age and under, while the remainder are adults.
• 192 cases are in the 20-39 age range; 171 are in the 40-59 age range; 93 are in the 60-79 age range; and 16 are in the 80-plus range.
• 50 per cent of the cases are females and 50 per cent are males.
• Six deaths related to COVID-19 have been reported to date.
 
To date, 35,176 COVID-19 tests have been performed in the province. As of May 6, 2020, when other provincial and national numbers were available from the Public Health Agency of Canada, Saskatchewan’s per capita rate was 27,184 people tested per million population, which exceeds the national rate of 26,665 people tested per million population.

Public Notification of Outbreaks

The declaration of a COVID-19 outbreak is used by Public Health to mobilize and coordinate a response to the infection. It is not necessarily an indicator of risk to the public.

The Public Health definition of an outbreak varies by setting. For example, in long-term care and personal care homes, an outbreak is declared when one person (a resident or health care worker) tests positive for COVID-19.
The Government of Saskatchewan is committed to ensuring there is public notification of COVID-19 outbreaks, as permitted under The Public Health Act, 1994.

We will be publicly posting outbreaks within:
• Saskatchewan Health Authority facilities including hospitals, long-term care homes and integrated facilities, as well as assisted living facilities with a long-term care unit if the cases are associated with the long-term care unit;
• personal care homes and homeless shelters as these include vulnerable populations; and
• all correctional facilities in Saskatchewan
Public advisories will always be issued when there is a risk to the public.

The posting of outbreaks in a workplace, industrial or commercial space will be done on a case-by-case basis, when deemed appropriate and necessary. This approach balances protecting the public and ensuring the privacy of individuals and businesses.

Public notification will also occur in the absence of an outbreak being declared when there is a risk of transmission to the public.

Phase 1 of Re-Open Saskatchewan is Well Underway

The Government of Saskatchewan’s plan to slowly and responsibly lift restrictions on businesses and services as a result of COVID-19 began on May 4.

Restrictions in the province are gradually being lifted in five phases. As Phase 1 of the plan moves into its second week, further information has been added to the Re-Open Saskatchewan Plan.

The changes include:
• Updates to the guidelines for appropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE) – page 17
• Updates to the guidelines for drive-in or remote worship services – page 24
• Guidelines for drive-in theatres – page 25
• Guidelines for public markets and farmers markets – page 32
• Updates to the guidelines for clothing and retail operations for thrift stores and businesses that sell second-hand goods – page 36
• Updates to the golf course guidelines – page 42-43
• Updates to the guidelines about passengers in boats – page 46

With its focus on the gradual lifting of business restrictions, Saskatchewan residents are reminded the plan does not change the need to comply with the current public health order and take the necessary precautionary measures, including:
• Limiting public and private gatherings – inside and outside – to no more than 10 people.
• Maintaining physical distancing by keeping two metres away from others.
• Avoiding unnecessary travel.
• Exercising caution when forming an extended household group and being 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.
• Stay home if you’re sick or symptomatic.

Mother’s Day

The impact of COVID-19 visitor restrictions at long-term care homes, hospitals and personal care homes has limited the ability of families and loved ones to connect during this stressful time.

The Government of Saskatchewan recognizes that people may want to send gifts, particularly in light of Mother’s Day this weekend.

The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) has determined that flowers from a florist and dry paper gifts are not an infection risk. Going forward, purchased floral arrangements and dry paper gifts, such as cards, letters, books, photos and artwork, will be allowed.

Floral arrangements will still not be permitted in some acute care settings, such as intensive care units, due to possible allergies.

Facilities are expected to follow existing processes to receive deliveries in a manner that reduces the risk of potential transmission by minimizing traffic in and out of facilities and practicing appropriate hand hygiene before and after handling delivered gifts.

If you are experiencing even mild 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 https://www.saskatchewan.ca/government/health-care-administration-and-provider-resources/treatment-procedures-and-guidelines/emerging-public-health-issues/2019-novel-coronavirus/re-open-saskatchewan-plan/re-open-saskatchewan.

As of May 7, 2020, Saskatchewan has 19 new confirmed cases of COVID-19, bringing the provincial total to 531.

Fifteen of the new cases are in the Far North with 12 of those being in the La Loche area, while the remaining four are in the North region.

Of the 531 reported cases, 196 are considered active.

Seventeen more people have recovered, bringing the provincial total to 329.

There are currently 12 people in hospital – eight are receiving inpatient care (two in the North and six in Saskatoon) and four are in intensive care (three in Saskatoon and one in the North).

Of the 531 cases in the province:
• 139 cases are travellers;
• 231 are community contacts (mass gatherings included);
• 53 have no known exposures; and
• 108 are under investigation by local public health.

Overall in Saskatchewan:
• 43 cases are health care workers; however, the source of the infections may not be related to health care in all instances.
• 167 of the cases are from the Far North, 163 are from the Saskatoon area, 99 from the North, 76 from the Regina area, 15 from the South and 11 from the Central region.
• 71 cases involve people 19 years of age and under, while the remainder are adults.
• 188 cases are in the 20-39 age range; 163 are in the 40-59 age range; 93 are in the 60-79 age range; and 16 are in the 80-plus range.
• 50 per cent of the cases are females and 50 per cent are males.
• Six deaths related to COVID-19 have been reported to date.
 
To date, 34,361 COVID-19 tests have been performed in the province. As of May 5, 2020, when other provincial and national numbers were available from the Public Health Agency of Canada, Saskatchewan’s per capita rate was 26,605 people tested per million population, which exceeds the national rate of 25,821 people tested per million population.

Lloydminster Re-Open May 11

With the outbreak in the Lloydminster Hospital stable, Lloydminster may proceed with plans to open services and businesses as described in Phase One of the Re-Open Saskatchewan plan starting Monday, May 11. Services and businesses will be required to follow the phased approach and safety procedures required under the Re-Open Saskatchewan plan.

All residents must continue to follow necessary personal protective measures to prevent the transmission of COVID-19, including maintaining physical distancing, participating in no gatherings more than 10 people, washing hands frequently, etc.

Opening is at the discretion of the workplace, based on their risk assessment and ability to operate safely, protecting staff and customers. Proceeding with Phase Two will be determined by public health officials and local leadership.

Additional Guidance on Extended Households

Saskatchewan residents must continue to take measures to stop the spread of COVID-19.

This includes limiting gatherings to no more than 10 people – inside and outside – within an extended household group only.

With extreme caution and under the following conditions, one or two close families may form an extended household group:
• Your families or friends must remain consistent. Do not visit different families or friends every day.
• If you are going to create an extended household group, consider if any member of the group has chronic health conditions that would put them at greater risk, or if they are in close contact with someone who could be vulnerable. Avoid forming an extended household with vulnerable people.
• Families and friends within an extended household contact group can be closer than two metres if they are not high-risk.
• Physical distancing of two metres should still be practiced around people with chronic health conditions and caution should be used in gatherings to limit touching common items, such as utensils.
• You should always be aware of who you have been in contact with over the past two weeks. These are the people who would need to be contacted by public health if you were to test positive for COVID-19.
 
Preventative Measures for Seniors and Individuals with Chronic Conditions

It is important to note that the Re-Open Saskatchewan plan is not a personal preventative information document. It is a guide for businesses.

We want to stress that older people or those with chronic conditions are at elevated risk for a more severe form of the disease and that risk continues even with the relaxing of certain guidelines.

Therefore, those who are more vulnerable may still want to be cautious in engaging in activities where physical distancing cannot be reliably maintained and masking is not in effect. For example, shopping for non-essential supplies.

All Saskatchewan residents must continue to practice everyday preventive actions in the new normal, 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 with unwashed hands;
• Clean and disinfect your home regularly;
• Maintain safe food practices;
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick;
• Stay home if sick;
• Call ahead if needing to access health services for your health condition;
• Avoid unnecessary travel; and
• Avoid large crowds and practice physical distancing (do not shake hands, hug or kiss except within your extended household).

If you are experiencing even mild 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.

As of May 6, 2020, Saskatchewan has 25 new confirmed cases of COVID-19, bringing the provincial total to 512.

Twenty-four of the new cases are in the Far North with 22 of those being in La Loche, while the remaining one is in the Saskatoon region. Of the 512 reported cases, 194 are considered active.

Two more people have recovered, bringing the provincial total to 312.

There are currently 13 people in hospital – nine are receiving inpatient care (two in the North and seven in Saskatoon) and four are in intensive care (three in Saskatoon and one in the North).

Of the 512 cases in the province:
• 139 cases are travellers;
• 204 are community contacts (mass gatherings included);
• 45 have no known exposures; and
• 124 are under investigation by local public health.

Overall in Saskatchewan:
• 43 cases are health care workers; however, the source of the infections may not be related to health care in all instances.
• 163 of the cases are from the Saskatoon area, 152 from the Far North, 95 from the North, 76 from the Regina area, 15 from the South and 11 from the Central region.
• 66 cases involve people 19 years of age and under, while the remainder are adults.
• 182 cases are in the 20-39 age range; 159 are in the 40-59 age range; 90 are in the 60-79 age range; and 15 are in the 80-plus range.
• 50 per cent of the cases are females and 50 per cent are males.
• Six deaths related to COVID-19 have been reported to date.

To date, 33,591 COVID-19 tests have been performed in the province. As of May 3, 2020, when other provincial and national numbers were available from the Public Health Agency of Canada, Saskatchewan’s per capita rate was 26,109 people tested per million population, which exceeds the national rate of 25,024 people tested per million population.
 
Outbreak declared at Meadow Lake Hospital

The Saskatchewan Health Authority presently has one confirmed COVID-19 case of a staff member at the Meadow Lake Hospital. This case at the hospital was linked to community-transmission. To date, no patients have presented with symptoms of COVID-19.

The COVID-19 positive staff member and close contacts to the confirmed case are on self-isolation and additional contact tracing is underway.

At this time there are no service disruptions at Meadow Lake Hospital. Key emergency department, emergency surgical and obstetrical services remain available. That is subject to change based on the ongoing risk assessment by public health and Meadow Lake Hospital management.

Northern Travel Restrictions Amended

At the request of the communities of Stony Rapids and La Ronge and in consultation with local public health officials, the public health order restricting non-essential travel in the Northern Saskatchewan Administration District will be amended to include those communities effective May 6, 2020. These measures will assist in ensuring that only essential travel happens through the north, supporting measures to prevent the further transmission of COVID-19.

If you are experiencing even mild 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.

As of May 5, 2020, Saskatchewan has 20 new confirmed cases of COVID-19, bringing the provincial total to 487.

Eighteen of the new cases are in the Far North (La Loche and surrounding area), while the remaining two are in the North region. Of the 487 reported cases, 171 are considered active.

Three more people have recovered, bringing the provincial total to 310.

There are currently 13 people in hospital – nine are receiving inpatient care (two in the North and seven in Saskatoon) and four are in intensive care (three in Saskatoon and one in the North).

Of the 487 cases in the province:
• 138 cases are travellers;
• 184 are community contacts (mass gatherings included);
• 41 have no known exposures; and
• 124 are under investigation by local public health.

Overall in Saskatchewan:
• 43 cases are health care workers; however, the source of the infections may not be related to health care in all instances.
• 162 of the cases are from the Saskatoon area, 128 from the Far North, 95 from the North, 76 from the Regina area, 15 from the South and 11 from the Central region.
• 58 cases involve people 19 years of age and under, while the remainder are adults.
• 174 cases are in the 20-39 age range; 153 are in the 40-59 age range; 87 are in the 60-79 age range; and 15 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, 32,921 COVID-19 tests have been performed in the province. As of May 3, 2020, when other provincial and national numbers were available from the Public Health Agency of Canada, Saskatchewan’s per capita rate was 25,689 people tested per million population, which exceeds the national rate of 24,460 people tested per million population.

If you are experiencing 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.

As of May 4, 2020, Saskatchewan has 34 new confirmed cases of COVID-19, bringing the provincial total to 467.

Twenty-nine of the new cases are in the Far North (La Loche and surrounding area), four of the new cases are in the North and one is in the Saskatoon area.

The locally reported presumptive positive cases noted on May 2 have now been confirmed and are accounted for in the total number of cases.

Of the 467 reported cases, 154 are considered active. Two more people have recovered, bringing the provincial total to 307.

There are currently 11 people in hospital; seven are receiving inpatient care (two in the North region and five in Saskatoon) and four are in intensive care (three in Saskatoon and one in the North).

Of the 467 cases in the province:
• 138 cases are travellers;
• 182 are community contacts (mass gatherings included);
• 40 have no known exposures; and
• 107 are under investigation by local public health.

Overall in Saskatchewan:
• 43 cases are health care workers; however, the source of the infections may not be related to health care in all instances.
• 162 of the cases are from the Saskatoon area, 110 from the Far North, 93 from the North, 76 from the Regina area, 15 from the South, and 11 from the Central region.
• 51 cases involve people 19 years of age and under, while the remainder are adults.
• 167 cases are in the 20-39 age range; 152 are in the 40-59 age range; 82 are in the 60-79 age range; and 15 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, 32,334 COVID-19 tests have been performed in the province. As of May 2, 2020, when other provincial and national numbers were available from the Public Health Agency of Canada, Saskatchewan’s per capita rate was 25,116 people tested per million population, which exceeds the national rate of 23,770 people tested per million population.

Re-Open Saskatchewan

Phase 1 of the Re-Open Saskatchewan plan begins today.

It allows public access to previously restricted medical services and provides specific guidelines related to parks and campgrounds, boat launches, fishing and golf courses.

A Public Health Order (https://www.saskatchewan.ca/-/media/files/coronavirus/public-health-measures/public-health-orders/order-may-3-2020-re-open-sk.pdf) is in place for Phase 1 of the plan.

Residents should remember that measures to stop the spread of COVID-19 must continue:
• Public and private gatherings are still limited to no more than 10 people.
• Continue physical distancing of two metres.
• People planning to form an extended household group with one or two families and friends should exercise extreme caution. The limit on gathering sizes still applies.
• Businesses that are not a critical public service or an allowable business listed on www.saskatchewan.ca remain closed.

The staged lifting of restrictions does not apply to the communities of La Loche and Lloydminster, which are currently managing outbreaks of COVID-19 cases.

Mental Health Week

May 4 to 10, 2020 is national Mental Health Week.

With the ongoing pandemic, many families and individuals are feeling additional strain. The Government of Canada has launched a new portal dedicated to mental wellness, Wellness Together Canada (https://ca.portal.gs/) to help provide support.

Additional support in Saskatchewan during this difficult time can be found at https://www.saskatchewan.ca/government/health-care-administration-and-provider-resources/treatment-procedures-and-guidelines/emerging-public-health-issues/2019-novel-coronavirus/mental-health-and-covid-19#mental-health.

If you are experiencing 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.

As of May 3, 2020, Saskatchewan has 12 new confirmed cases of COVID-19, bringing the provincial total to 433.

Four of the new cases are in the North, four of the new cases are in the Far North and four are in the Saskatoon area. Several tests from the locally identified cases noted May 2 in the La Loche area are still pending. These cases are not yet recorded in the Roy Romanow Provincial Laboratory daily summaries, and so are not yet included in the total figures reported today.

Of the 433 reported cases, 122 are considered active. Three more people have recovered, bringing the provincial total to 305.

There are currently 14 people in hospital; 11 are receiving inpatient care (five in the North region and six in Saskatoon) and three are in intensive care (in Saskatoon).

Of the 433 cases in the province:

• 138 cases are travellers;
• 176 are community contacts (mass gatherings included);
• 40 have no known exposures; and
• 79 are under investigation by local public health.

Overall in Saskatchewan:
• 42 cases are health care workers; however, the source of the infections may not be related to health care in all instances.
• 161 of the cases are from the Saskatoon area, 89 from the North, 76 from the Regina area, 81 from the Far North, 15 from the South, and 11 from the Central region.
• 40 cases involve people 19 years of age and under, while the remainder are adults.
• 159 cases are in the 20-39 age range; 141 are in the 40-59 age range; 78 are in the 60-79 age range; and 15 are in the 80-plus range.
• 50 per cent of the cases are males and 50 per cent are females.
• Six deaths related to COVID-19 have been reported to date.

To date, 31,572 COVID-19 tests have been performed in the province. As of May 1, 2020, when other provincial and national numbers were available from the Public Health Agency of Canada, Saskatchewan’s per capita rate was 24,562 people tested per million population, which exceeds the national rate of 22,934 people tested per million population.

If you are experiencing 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.