There are four new presumptive positive cases of COVID-19 that have been identified in Saskatchewan. It brings the total to 6 since the first postive presumptive case reported on Thursday. The Government of Saskatchewan outlined Saturday night the new Travel Guidance for Residents travelling internationally and returning to Saskatchewan. The province notes that the Federal Government and Saskatchewan’s Chief Medical Health Officer recommend returning to Canada and avoiding non-essential international travel until further notice.
One person who is a presumptive positive case is a health care worker in their 30’s with a recent history of travel to Nigeria and Germany as well as Alberta. This person is recovering in northern Saskatchewan. Two presumptive cases are in their 40s and live in the same household in Regina. One recently travelled to Vancouver for a dental conference where one of the people in attendance was confirmed to have COVID-19. This person was tested March 13th and is self isolating as they recover. The fourth new case is a person in their 20s with a history of travel to Tennessee. This person was tested in Regina and is now self-isolating and recovering in their home community.
Public Health officials are following up with anyone who had close contact with all of the four new presumptive positive cases of COVID-19. If you have had close contact with these people, you will be notified. If you have recently travelled internationally and are experiencing respiratory of flu-like symptoms the Government says call HealthLine 811.
http://www.saskatchewan.ca/coronavirus
To minimize and contain the spread of coronavirus, the Saskatchewan Health Authority is implementing visitor restrictions effective immediately for SHA operated hospitals, clinics, community and continuing care facilities.
The risk still remains low for those in Saskatchewan to contract coronavirus, although the risk is increasing.
Saskatchewan’s Medical Health Officer Dr. Saqib Shahab says they’re continuing to follow up with people who have travelled from other parts of the world including those who have attended large conferences in Canada and have symptoms.
The total number of COVID-19 cases in Saskatchewan is now at 6 after the government announced four new presumptive cases Saturday night.
He says now that there are cases in different parts of the province, residents need to become more aware of what they need to do in order to prevent spreading the virus. That means self-isolating immediately after travelling from other countries including the United States.
Shahab says if you’ve attended a conference in the country recently where people flew in from other countries, continue to monitor yourself for any symptom for two weeks.
During a news conference in Regina Sunday morning, he added if you’re at someone’s house and there are a number of people present, avoid hugging, avoid shaking hands, etc.
Schools will remain open for now across the province. Shahab says with the number of cases in Saskatchewan limited to 6, there’s no reason to close schools anywhere in the province at this time.
He adds there have been constant conversations with school divisions and if there is a reason to close a school locally, that can happen and in the future if there were any reason to consider broader school closures as part of more quarantine measures, it will be considered.
There have been 524 people tested for COVID-19 in Saskatchewan.
