As of April 8, 2020, Saskatchewan has 11 new, confirmed cases of COVID-19, bringing the provincial total to 271.
One hundred and sixty-five of the cases are considered active. Fifteen more people have recovered, bringing the provincial total to 103.
Currently, there are eight people in hospitals across the province from COVID-19. Six people are receiving inpatient care, while two are in intensive care.
Of the 271 cases in the province:
• 119 cases are travellers;
• 90 are community contacts (mass gatherings included);
• 16 have no known exposures; and
• 46 are under investigation by local public health.
Overall in Saskatchewan:
• 26 of the cases are health care workers; however, the source of the infections may not be related to health care in all instances.
• 135 of the cases are from the Saskatoon area, 56 from the Regina area, 51 from the north, 15 from the south, 10 from the central region and four from the far north.
• 15 cases involve people 19 years of age and under, while the remainder are adults.
• 114 cases are in the 20-44 age range; 94 are in the 45-64 age range; and 48 are in the 65-plus range.
• 54 per cent of the cases are males and 46 per cent are females.
• Three deaths related to COVID-19 have been reported to date.
To date, 15,621 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.
Health System Planning Information Online
Today, the Saskatchewan Health Authority provided updated information on the health system’s preparations and planning for COVID-19. You can find that information online at www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19.
Continued efforts on the part of the public are needed to ensure our health system can respond to the impact of COVID-19 in Saskatchewan.
Modeling data released today by the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) indicates that the key variable for saving lives and protecting health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic is public compliance with prescribed isolation measures, physical distancing, effective hand washing and staying home, whenever and wherever possible.
It also indicates that current interventions are making a difference.
“Our job as a health care system is to provide care for those in need and to be ready for any scenario,” SHA CEO Scott Livingstone said. “While we understand Canadian data is starting to show some hopeful signs about flattening the curve on COVID-19, it is critical to remember not to be complacent. We need to continue to escalate our response to ensure we are prepared for the worst case scenarios and we need the public to help us avoid those scenarios.”
The SHA has increased access to testing through the creation of 38 testing sites around the province and tripled the staff available for contact tracing efforts to detect and prevent community transmission. As public health measures and capacity for community care services continue to increase, the acute care system has also been planning to add capacity. Up to 57 per cent more acute care capacity will be phased in as needed over the next several weeks, in anticipation of increased hospitalization rates. None of the major changes in this plan are immediate.
Communities will continue to be updated as changes to services and service locations occur in their areas through various communications channels as well as through Saskatchewan’s central access point for information at www.saskatchewan.ca/covid19.
The following are highlights of the measures the SHA is taking in its next phase of pandemic response to ensure safety by segmenting patient populations between COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 patient populations: • Creating dedicated spaces within many of its facilities to cohort COVID-19 patients; • Designating certain hospitals COVID-19 hospitals. These changes are not immediate. The SHA has proactively identified 20 out of its 65 hospitals that would be designated COVID-19 hospitals, if required to meet the clinical needs of the patient population in their areas of the province; • Adding acute care capacity through the creation of field hospitals in Saskatoon and Regina, with more locations being considered as part of later, contingency planning.
These measures are in addition to those SHA has already initiated to meet the demands of COVID-19. A slowdown of non-essential services to increase bed availability has already created acute care capacity across the system for handling a surge in COVID-19 related cases at future stages of the pandemic.
As of April 5, 43 per cent of Saskatchewan’s acute care beds were available for use, largely as a result of the slow down and preparation for the surge.
“We wanted to be transparent with the plan going forward so the public is aware of the escalated measures we will put into place if needed, but it is critical to remember that many of the changes proposed in this plan will be implemented only in response to anticipated surges in patient demand that start to exceed our capacity,” Livingstone said. “Changes like conversion to COVID-19 dedicated hospitals will only occur where it is absolutely required to ensure safety and maintain access for patients who need our care.”
Saskatchewan residents can continue to help by taking specific action, including:
• Practising good hygiene, washing hands regularly and practicing physical distancing (two metres apart wherever possible);
• Taking care of family, friends and neighbours who may be affected by mandatory self-isolation orders;
• Abide by provincial and local travel, self-isolation, event and gathering restrictions;
• Use medical supplies effectively and efficiently so that they are there when needed; and
• Avoid visiting our hospitals and long-term care facilities unless there are compassionate reasons for doing so.
“No health system in the world can manage this challenge without the sustained help of the general public,” SHA Chief Medical Officer Dr. Susan Shaw said. “To save lives, Saskatchewan residents need to do their best to stay healthy and strong and abide by the restrictions and guidelines for the general public around COVID-19. Demand will exceed our capacity as a health system if we are not diligent about these measures.”
As of April 7, 2020, Saskatchewan has seven new, confirmed cases of COVID-19, bringing the provincial total to 260. One hundred and sixty-nine of the cases are considered active.
Seven more people have recovered, bringing the provincial total to 88. Currently, there are seven people hospitalized in the province from COVID-19. Five people are receiving inpatient care – four in Saskatoon and one in Regina – while there is also one person in the intensive care unit in Saskatoon and one in Regina.
Of the 260 cases in the province:
• 115 cases are travellers;
• 80 are community contacts (mass gatherings included);
• 13 have no known exposures; and
• 52 are under investigation by local public health.
Overall in Saskatchewan:
• 131 of the cases are from the Saskatoon area, 52 from the Regina area, 48 from the north, 15 from the south, 10 from the central region and four from the far north.
• 13 cases involve people 19 years of age and under, while the remainder are adults.
• 112 cases are in the 20-44 age range; 92 are in the 45-64 age range; and 43 are in the 65-plus range.
• 53 per cent of the cases are males and 47 per cent are females.
• Three deaths related to COVID-19 reported to date.
To date, 14,722 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/presumptive cases is available at www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19.
Public inquiries may be directed to COVID19@health.gov.sk.ca.
Host a Virtual Easter Gathering: With the holiday long weekend approaching, be prepared to celebrate Easter in a different way this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead of inviting family and friends over for dinner, host a virtual gathering using digital technology.
Here are some other things to keep in mind:
• Restrict in-person Easter gatherings to only people living in the same home.
• Beat the pre-holiday rush and purchase your Easter dinner groceries ahead of time. Remember, only one person from a household should go shopping. Make a list so you can quickly purchase your goods.
• Always practice preventative measures – frequent hand washing and physical distancing.
As of April 6, 2020, Saskatchewan has four new, confirmed cases of COVID-19, bringing the provincial total to 253. One hundred and sixty-nine of the cases are considered active. These are confirmed cases, minus those reported as recovered and deaths. The active case count may be overestimated based on recovery information reported to date.Currently, there are four people in hospital in the province. Two people are receiving inpatient care in Saskatoon, while two people are currently in intensive care – one in Regina and one in Saskatoon. Fourteen more people have recovered from COVID-19 in Saskatchewan, bringing the provincial total to 81.
Of the 253 cases in the province:
112 cases are travellers;
77 are community contacts (mass gatherings included);
14 have no known exposures; and
50 are under investigation by local public health.
Overall in Saskatchewan:
127 of the cases are from the Saskatoon area, 51 from the Regina area, 47 from the north, 15 from the south, 10 from the central region and three from the far north.
11 cases involve people 19 years of age and under, while the remainder are adults.
110 cases are in the 20-44 age range; 89 are in the 45-64 age range; and 43 are in the 65-plus range.
53 per cent of the cases are males and 47 per cent are females.
Three deaths related to COVID-19 have been reported to date.
To date, 14,178 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/presumptive cases is available at www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19.
While all residents should stay home if they can, there are many essential workplaces throughout the province, including healthcare and industrial settings, grocery stores and supported and group living homes. There continues to be a risk of local transmission in these essential workplaces and all employers and employees are reminded to practice prevention methods at all times – on the job site, in the breakroom or when working outdoors.
Actively monitor for symptoms. At the first sign of cough, 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/sneeze into your elbow or tissue and wash your hands immediately.
Workplaces must ensure their occupational health and safety guidelines are up to date and being enforced to prevent the transmission of respiratory illnesses.
As of April 5, 2020, Saskatchewan has 18 new, confirmed cases of COVID-19, bringing the provincial total to 249. Currently, there are four people in hospital in the province. Two people are receiving inpatient care in Saskatoon, one person is in ICU in Saskatoon and one person is in ICU in Regina. Twelve more people have recovered from COVID-19 in Saskatchewan, bringing the provincial total to 67. Of the 249 cases in the province:
109 cases are travelers
71 are community contacts (mass gatherings included)
14 have no known exposures
55 are under investigation by local public health
Overall in Saskatchewan:
123 of the cases are from the Saskatoon area, 51 from the Regina area, 47 from the north, 15 from the south, 10 from the central region and three from the far north.
11 cases involve people 19 years of age and under, while the remainder are adults.
108 cases are in the 20-44 age range; 88 are in the 45-64 age range; and 42 are in the 65-plus range.
54 per cent of the cases are males and 46 per cent are females
To date, 13,528 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/presumptive cases is available at www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19.
There is no evidence to date that domestic livestock and pets can be infected with or transmit COVID-19 but infection and transmission by animals has also not been ruled out. Therefore, anyone who has COVID-19 should avoid contact with animals, just as they should with people, until more information is available. If there is already an animal in the household, that animal should remain in isolation along with the patient.
Meet the new owner of The Davidson Leader. Dan Senick is the winner of the “Win Your Own Publication contest”. He is pictured with Tara de Ryk, who will retire in the new year.
DAVIDSON—Tara de Ryk is pleased to announce
that Dan Senick will become the Publisher and Editor of The Davidson Leader.
He is the winner of the “Win Your Own
Publication” contest.
Having decided to retire from the newspaper
business, de Ryk launched the contest in order to find someone to carry on The
Davidson Leader, a community newspaper that has served Davidson, Craik,
Bladworth, Kenaston, Hanley and surrounding areas since 1904.
The contest proved to be successful in not
only finding a new publisher for The Davidson Leader, but also in sparking
interest in local news and a discussion on the importance of local newspapers
to the communities and people they serve.
“I received more than a dozen entries
and I interviewed several whom I thought were good candidates,” de Ryk
said.
“I picked Dan because of his
experience in the community newspaper industry and the fact he is bringing with
him a team of seasoned newspaper people who have the skill set needed to
maintain and improve The Davidson Leader.”
About Dan and his team
Dan started a local community newspaper
yourSaskatoonnews in Saskatoon after previously being the general manager of
the Saskatoon Express community newspaper. Before that he was director of sales
for a group of newspapers including the Prince Albert Daily Herald and other
weeklies.
Also joining The Leader team is Cam
Hutchinson, who will provide support with editorial content. Cam was most
recently the editor of the Saskatoon Express for eight years. Before helping
start the Express, he had a lengthy career in writing and helping manage the
Saskatoon Star Phoenix.
Darren Steinke will provide local
reporting. He is currently a freelance/writer photographer and has a blog
called Stank’s Sermon He was previously a reporter for the Medicine Hat News
and Prince Albert Daily Herald.
Sales will be handled by Carol Trap and
Aaron Shutra. Carol has worked in sales at the Saskatoon Express and the
AutoTrader. Carol’s passion for community newspapers started while working at
the Saskatchewan Weekly Newspaper Association. Aaron worked in sales at the
Saskatoon Express for over five years.
“We are very excited to become part of the Davidson and area community and continue the tradition of people reading The Davidson Leader for many more years to come,” Dan said. “We are all community newspaper people, priding ourselves in providing local community news.”
De Ryk agrees, “I picked these people
because they are passionate about newspapers and believe in print. Us newspaper
people are a strange bunch. We work long hours to meet constant deadlines and
then repeat it all over again the next week. It’s exhausting and stressful but
very rewarding too to create something that people depend on and look forward
to reading each week. Unless you bleed ink, the average person doesn’t get it.
Dan and his team do.”
De Ryk adds, “I believe Dan and his
team have the sales and marketing skills that will ensure the success of The
Davidson Leader for years to come. They have the editorial skills to maintain
the community news and improve it. They’ll be able to do more than I ever
could.”
There will be familiar faces at The Leader
too. Dianne Murfitt will continue to work at The Leader office, handling
accounts receivable and providing the same exceptional customer service.
Holly LePoudre is taking over Midway
Flowers and will operate it out of The Leader building.
“I’m happy that Dianne and Holly will
continue to be part of these two community institutions,” de Ryk said.
Reader favourites will remain
The Davidson Leader won’t change much under
new ownership.
Reader favourites including The Way it Is
by Flo Shaw, Yesteryears News and the town news will remain an important part
of The Leader each week.
Dan will continue publishing The Leader on Mondays. He’s also going to retain The Leader’s commercial printing business, which should reassure commercial print clients that they may continue to shop local when it comes to their printing needs. To ensure a successful transition de Ryk said her wish is that readers, advertisers and the community as a whole continues to offer Dan the same support they have shown her all these years. The first edition of The Davidson Leader under Dan will be published Jan. 13, 2020.
