A few different communities and groups have been associated with outbreak events in Saskatchewan since the pandemic began, and the latest is in Yorkton. As an example, Chief Medical Health Officer, Dr. Saqib Shahab, says most of the new cases reported on Saturday were linked to ongoing mass gathering and workplace investigations, and then on Sunday and Monday, it switched to Yorkton. Dr. Shahab says that the school and hospital transmissions are secondary to the gym, which was the original link to these outbreaks, but it’s not known yet where that first case came from, whether it was a party or some other contact transmission.
The Chief Medical Health Officer explains the math behind an outbreak. He says if 30 people have been exposed at an event, and each has on average of 8 close contacts, that means 240 contacts. Of those 30, if 15 people contract COVID-19, that means around 120 to 150 contacts, and anywhere from 10 to 20 per cent will test positive, so 30 cases can go to 60 or 70 cases until it settles down. But, Shahab says, when close contacts are isolated, and then later test positive, there is no further transmission, which is why self-isolating the close contacts helps to extinguish the outbreak.
Of the 1,892 cases in the province to date:
- 280 cases are travellers;
- 938 are community contacts (including mass gatherings);
- 544 have no known exposures; and
- 130 are under investigation by local public health.
Overall in Saskatchewan to date:
- 72 cases are healthcare workers; however, the source of the infections may not be related to healthcare in all instances.
- 324 cases involve people 19 years of age and under, while the remainder are adults.
- 618 cases are in the 20-39 age range; 582 are in the 40-59 age range; 306 are in the 60-79 age range; and 62 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:
- 441 cases are from the south area (222 south west, 200 south central, 19 south east)
- 385 cases are from the Saskatoon area
- 359 cases are from the far north area (350 far north west, 0 far north central, 9 far north east)
- 276 cases are from the north area (132 north west, 77 north central, 67 north east)
- 255 cases are from the central area (175 central west, 80 central east)
- 176 cases are from the Regina area
To date, 188,068 COVID-19 tests have been performed in Saskatchewan. As of September 26, 2020 when other provincial and national numbers are available from Public Health Agency of Canada, Saskatchewan’s per capita rate was 131,995 people tested per million population. The national rate was 189,355 people tested per million population.
On Sunday, 2,236 COVID-19 tests were performed in Saskatchewan.
Yorkton Outbreaks
Public health continues to investigate recent cases in Yorkton. Initial findings suggest that most recent cases may share a common source of exposure at a local fitness facility. As in all parts of Saskatchewan, Yorkton residents or individuals who have visited the area should remain vigilant and follow all public health advice.
Outbreaks have been declared at Yorkton Regional High School, Pumphouse Athletic Club and Yorkton Regional Health Centre.
The Saskatchewan Health Authority has issued public safety alerts regarding the outbreaks in Yorkton, and will continue to do so based on any potential risk to the general public.
Information on outbreaks is available here: https://www.saskatchewan.ca/government/health-care-administration-and-provider-resources/treatment-procedures-and-guidelines/emerging-public-health-issues/2019-novel-coronavirus/latest-updates#covid-19-outbreaks-in-saskatchewan.
