The Ministry of Health says 17 cases of COVID-19 have been tracked to a social gathering in Saskatoon that was initially reported in the provincial news release back on Sunday. The update adds that other cases are likely to be identified as contact tracing from the gathering continues.

Otherwise, eight of the 10 new cases of the novel coronavirus in Tuesday’s Saskatchewan report come from the Saskatoon area with the other two in the Central East one. But, 12 individuals are said to have recovered from COVID-19, leaving the active case total in the province at 101…four of those people receiving inpatient care in Saskatoon hospitals. In addition, the report says 33 of the 101 active cases are from Hutterite colonies.

As for totals in Saskatchewan since the pandemic was identified in mid-March, there have been 1,741 reported cases of the virus with 24 deaths and 1,616 individuals having recovered.

Of the 1,741 cases in the province to date:

• 260 cases are travellers;
• 862 are community contacts (including mass gatherings);
• 519 have no known exposures; and
• 100 are under investigation by local public health

Overall in Saskatchewan to date:

• 69 cases are healthcare workers; however, the source of the infections may not be related to healthcare in all instances.
• 288 cases involve people 19 years of age and under, while the remainder are adults.
• 570 cases are in the 20-39 age range; 532 are in the 40-59 age range; 293 are in the 60-79 age range; and 58 are in the 80-plus range.
• 51 per cent of the cases are females and 49 per cent are males.
• 24 deaths related to COVID-19 have been reported to date.
• There are:
  • 431 cases from the south area (221 south west, 197 south central, 13 south east)
  • 357 cases from the far north area (349 far north west, 8 far north east)
  • 315 cases from the Saskatoon area
  • 270 cases from the north area (131 north west, 73 north central, 66 north east)
  • 229 cases from the central area (168 central west, 61 central east)
  • 139 cases from the Regina area

To date, 161,933 COVID19 tests have been performed in Saskatchewan. As of September 13, 2020, when other provincial and national numbers were available from the Public Health Agency of Canada, Saskatchewan’s per capita rate was 114,897 people tested per million population. The national rate was 165,884 people tested per million population.

On Monday, 1,658 COVID-19 tests were performed in Saskatchewan.

Gathering Sizes

Saskatchewan residents are reminded that indoor and outdoor gatherings may have a maximum of 30 people, provided there is enough space to maintain a two metre separation between individuals who are not in the same household.

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

For food service at 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.

Remember to take precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19, including:
Staying home if you are sick.
Practising proper cough and sneezing etiquette (into a tissue or the bend of your elbow).
Washing your hands often with soap and water; if soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Maintaining physical distancing.
Wearing a mask, especially when indoors in public places or with persons not in your extended household bubble.