Saskatchewan’s Chief Medical Health Officer says at this point there are potentially 4 cases linked to the 2 large family gatherings in Saskatoon. To the suggestion that issuing fines might help get the message across for those not following the public health orders, Dr. Saqib Shahab answered that he believes education is usually the best answer, but to date, a few fines have been handed out, but very few.

Less than 10% of COVID-19 cases in Saskatchewan are considered active. The Saskatchewan government reports that there are two new cases of COVID-19 in the province bringing the total, to date, to 639. One new cases is in the North region and one is in the Saskatoon region. Yesterday, the Saskatchewan Health Authority has declared a community outbreak in Saskatoon stemming from one confirmed case and one presumptive case of COVID-19 that are traced back to a couple of large family gatherings that took place in May and that exceeded ten people as listed in the health order. Contact tracing is now taking place with more than 60 people. Four people are in hospital, one in inpatient care in Regina and three are in ICU in Saskatoon. Nine more people have recovered.

Premier Scott Moe expects we will get a better picture of the cost of COVID-19 when the budget is tabled on June 15th. The expenses are more concrete, but what will happen on the revenue side is more challenging to ascertain. That’s costs to the economy, which much of the burden on businesses, but also the healthcare cost with trying to catch up from all the delays in surgeries and other health services. Moe expects we will feel the effects of COVID-19 quite likely over a number of years.

As we get closer to opening the economy even further on June 8th, the Premier says although we have had sombre news this week, with 3 deaths related to COVID-19, Saskatchewan’s mortality rate is lower than most. In fatalities per million, Canada has 181, in the U.S. it’s about 310, globally it’s 46. In Saskatchewan, we have 8.5 fatalities per million.

Of the 639 cases in the province:
141 cases are travellers;
369 are community contacts (including mass gatherings);
76 have no known exposures; and
53 are under investigation by local public health.

Overall in Saskatchewan:
50 cases are health care workers; however, the source of the infections may not be related to health care in all instances.
253 of the cases are from the Far North, 168 are from the Saskatoon area, 112 from the North, 78 from the Regina area, 16 from the South and 12 from the Central region.
94 cases involve people 19 years of age and under, while the remainder are adults.
228 cases are in the 20-39 age range; 195 are in the 40-59 age range; 104 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.
10 deaths related to COVID-19 have been reported to date.

To date, 45,869 COVID-19 tests have been performed in the province. As of May 26, 2020, when other provincial and national numbers were last available from the Public Health Agency of Canada, Saskatchewan’s per capita rate was 34,883 people tested per million population. The national rate was 40,658 people tested per million population.

Provincial State of Emergency Extended and Measures Continue

The Provincial State of Emergency has been extended for two weeks.

While new case numbers remain low, residents are reminded that COVID-19 is still present in Saskatchewan. Public health orders remain in effect, including the order limiting public and private gatherings to no more than 10 people.

The declaration of a community-transmitted outbreak in Saskatoon linked to two large family gatherings, reinforces the importance of following public health orders.

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 with unwashed hands;
Clean and disinfect your home regularly;
Avoid close contact with people who are sick;
Stay home if you are sick; and
Practice physical distancing.