COVID-19 Update: 36 New Cases, 11 in Hospital, 9 Recoveries

Released on October 17, 2020

There are 36 new cases of COVID-19 to report in Saskatchewan on October 17, bringing the total to 2,306 cases.  The new cases are located in the Far North East (6), North West (3), North Central (6), North East (3), Saskatoon (10), Central West (1), Central East (1), Regina (4) and South East (1) zones.  One case has a pending residence location.

Of the 2,306 reported cases, 326 are considered active.  A total of 1,955 people have recovered.

Eleven people are in hospital. Nine people are receiving inpatient care; five in the Saskatoon zone, three in the North Central zone, and one in the Central East zone.  Two people are in intensive care, one in Saskatoon and one in Regina.

Of the 2,306 cases in the province to date:

• 323 cases are travellers;
• 1,125 are community contacts (including mass gatherings);
• 634 have no known exposures; and
• 224 are under investigation by local public health.

Overall in Saskatchewan to date:

• 78 cases are healthcare workers; however, the source of the infections may not be related to healthcare in all instances.
• 400 cases involve people 19 years of age and under, while the remainder are adults.
• 790 cases are in the 20-39 age range; 690 are in the 40-59 age range; 353 are in the 60-79 age range; and 73 are in the 80-plus range.
• 51 per cent of the cases are females and 49 per cent are males.
• 25 deaths related to COVID-19 have been reported to date.
• There are:
  • 479 cases are from the Saskatoon area
  • 469 cases are from the south area (226 south west, 209 south central, 34 south east)
  • 403 cases are from the far north area (365 far north west, 0 far north central, 38 far north east)
  • 375 cases are from the north area (144 north west, 148 north central, 83 north east)
  • 327 cases are from the central area (189 central west, 138 central east)
  • 252 cases are from the Regina area
  • One case has a pending residence location.

To date, 227,964 COVID-19 tests have been performed in Saskatchewan.  As of October 15, 2020 when other provincial and national numbers are available from Public Health Agency of Canada, Saskatchewan’s per capita rate was 156,721 people tested per million population.  The national rate was 227,806 people tested per million population.

Yesterday, 2,432 COVID-19 tests were performed in Saskatchewan.

The most recent summary data available indicates that 79 individuals in multiple communities have tested positive for COVID-19 are linked to the Gospel Worship event in Prince Albert, including case contacts of attendees.  At least 250 contacts have been part of the contact investigation relative to this superspreader event.  Note that “superspreader” events are not limited to those who attended the event itself, but quickly transmit in local settings.

Failure to Abide by Public Health Orders May Result in Fines

In Saskatchewan and across the country, public health authorities are seeing increasing transmission rates as a result of contravention of public health orders and guidelines, particularly as a result of public and private gatherings.  There can be very serious consequences for not following Public Health Orders, including fines in cases where negligence or misconduct have been found.  Fines may be $2,000 for individuals and $10,000 for corporations, plus a victim surcharge.

Private Gathering Sizes Reduced

As of October 16, private indoor gatherings may have a maximum of 15 people in the home or in buildings located on the private property (eg garages, sheds). Two-metre physical distancing should be observed when people from outside the extended household are present.

This will not impact restaurants, licensed establishments, banquet halls as well as weddings, funerals and religious gatherings which are all required to follow seating and physical distancing guidelines as described in the Re-Open Saskatchewan Plan at https://www.saskatchewan.ca/government/health-care-administration-and-provider-resources/treatment-procedures-and-guidelines/emerging-public-health-issues/2019-novel-coronavirus/re-open-saskatchewan-plan  Any event that occurs in a private dwelling, including weddings, religious gathering and funerals, must abide by the 15 person gathering limit.

COVID-19 Testing

COVID-19 testing is available to anyone who requests it.  A referral for testing can be made by contacting HealthLine 811, your physician or nurse practitioner.  If you require urgent care, call 911.

Further information on testing is available at https://www.saskatchewan.ca/government/health-care-administration-and-provider-resources/treatment-procedures-and-guidelines/emerging-public-health-issues/2019-novel-coronavirus/testing-information.

General COVID-19 Information

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