COVID-19 Update: Saskatchewan Records 15th Death, One New Case, Five More Recoveries, Four In Hospital

Released on July 7, 2020

A resident in the North who tested positive for COVID-19 has died.  The individual was in their 20s.  This brings the total number of deaths in the province to 15.

There is one new case of COVID-19 to report on July 7, bringing the total to 806 cases.  The new case is a Saskatoon region resident who was tested out of province.

Of the 806 reported COVID-19 cases in Saskatchewan, 54 are considered active.  A total of 737 people have recovered.  Four people are in hospital.

Four individuals are receiving inpatient care in the hospital; three in the North and one in Saskatoon.  No one is in intensive care.

Of the 806 cases in the province:

• 168 cases are travellers;
• 482 are community contacts (including mass gatherings);
• 113 have no known exposures; and
• 43 are under investigation by local public health.

Overall in Saskatchewan:

• 55 cases are health care workers; however, the source of the infections may not be related to health care in all instances.
• 338 of the cases are from the Far North, 190 are from the Saskatoon area, 119 from the North, 80 from the Regina area, 66 from the South and 13 from the Central region.
• 116 cases involve people 19 years of age and under, while the remainder are adults.
• 283 cases are in the 20-39 age range; 253 are in the 40-59 age range; 133 are in the 60-79 age range; and 21 are in the 80-plus range.
• 51 per cent of the cases are females and 49 per cent are males.
• 15 deaths related to COVID-19 have been reported to date.

To date, 70,294 COVID‐19 tests have been performed in Saskatchewan.  As of July 5, 2020, when other provincial and national numbers were available from the Public Health Agency of Canada, Saskatchewan’s per capita rate was 52,252 people tested per million population.  The national rate was 79,164 people tested per million population.

 Visitation Guidelines During COVID-19

Starting today, there are expanded visitation guidelines for facilities.  These guidelines apply to patients, outpatients, clients and residents in Saskatchewan Health Authority facilities, long-term care homes and affiliate organizations, personal care homes and Ministry of Social Services Group Homes.

• Two family members or support persons can be identified to support patients and residents.
• Only one family member or support person can be present in the facility at a time.
• Two people can be present at one time if physical distancing can be maintained for:
• Critical care/intensive care patients
  • End of life/palliative care patients or residents
  • Maternal Services Units (Maternal and Postpartum Units, Neonatal Intensive Care Units, Pediatric Intensive Care Units, Pediatric Units)
  • Family members and support persons must follow safety requirements including the wearing of a medical grade mask, physical distancing, hand hygiene, limited movement within a facility or home according to current public health orders.
• Additional family members or support persons may be identified for end of life, palliative and intensive/critical care, as outlined in the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) Family Presence Guidelines (https://www.saskatchewan.ca/government/health-care-administration-and-provider-resources/treatment-procedures-and-guidelines/emerging-public-health-issues/2019-novel-coronavirus/public-health-measures/guidance-for-health-care-facilities).

COVID-19 Testing

Testing for COVID-19 is available to anyone currently working outside the home or anyone returning to work as part of the Re-Open Saskatchewan plan.

Testing is also available to:

• Those being admitted to acute care for more than 24 hours, including expectant mothers.
• Immunocompromised individuals and their health care providers.

If you are experiencing symptoms of fever, cough, shortness of breath, headaches, aches and pains, sore throat, chills, runny nose or a loss of your sense of taste or smell, contact HealthLine 811 or your family physician for advice on whether you should be tested for COVID-19.  You can also take the online self-assessment at www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19.

General public inquiries may be directed to COVID19@health.gov.sk.ca.

Find the most up-to-date version of the Re-Open Saskatchewan plan at www.saskatchewan.ca/re-open.

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For more information, contact:

Health
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4083
Email: media@health.gov.sk.ca