COVID-19 Update: Record High Testing; 19 New Cases, Eight In Hospital, Six Recoveries

Released on September 26, 2020

There are 19 new cases of COVID-19 to report in Saskatchewan on September 26, bringing the total to 1,863 reported cases.  The new cases are located in the Saskatoon (15), Central East (2) and Regina (2) zones. Two (2) cases previously reported have been removed (deemed to be non-SK residents).

Of the 1,863 reported cases, 134 are considered active.  A total of 1,705 people have recovered.

Of the fifteen new cases reported today in the Saskatoon zone, thirteen are linked to known cases or events.  Public health investigations are underway to determine the source of the remaining two cases.

Eight people are in hospital.  Eight people are receiving inpatient care; seven of those are in Saskatoon, one is in the South Central zone.

Of the 1,863 cases in the province to date:

• 279 cases are travellers;
• 931 are community contacts (including mass gatherings);
• 534 have no known exposures; and
• 119 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.
• 318 cases involve people 19 years of age and under, while the remainder are adults.
• 603 cases are in the 20-39 age range; 577 are in the 40-59 age range; 303 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)
  • 381 cases are from the Saskatoon area
  • 358 cases are from the far north area (349 far north west, 0 far north central, 9 far north east)
  • 275 cases are from the north area (132 north west, 76 north central, 67 north east)
  • 240 cases are from the central area (175 central west, 65 central east)
  • 168 cases are from the Regina area
  • Two (2) cases previously reported have been deemed non-Saskatchewan residents and removed

To date, 183,216 COVID-19 tests have been performed in Saskatchewan.  As of September 24, 2020 when other provincial and national numbers are available from Public Health Agency of Canada, Saskatchewan’s per capita rate was 128,240 people tested per million population.  The national rate was 185,671 people tested per million population.

Yesterday, 2,984 COVID-19 tests were performed in Saskatchewan.  This is the highest daily number of tests performed to date.  The previous highest was 2,873 tests performed on September 18.

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 are experiencing worsening symptoms.  If you require urgent care, call 911.

Priority testing is available for those who are symptomatic, health care workers and first responders, teachers and school staff.

If you are asymptomatic and planning to travel but require a test, please allow a minimum of seven days from the date of your test through to notification of results.  You can also view your results directly on MySaskHealthRecord.

Drive-through testing sites that do not require a referral are operating in Regina and Saskatoon.  This is in addition to the testing and assessment centres currently open.

Regina - International Trade Centre at Evraz Place - Hall C, 1700 Elphinstone Street
Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays - 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Saturdays – 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Saskatoon - 3630 Thatcher Avenue
Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays - 12 p.m. - 7:15 p.m.
Saturdays and Sundays - 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.

A valid Saskatchewan Health Card will be required for each person getting tested.  A Canadian Armed Forces number or Interim Federal Health identification will also be accepted.  You will be required to wear a mask during the registration process.

The drive-thru sites will be first come, first served so there may be some wait times.  You must wait in your vehicle.  There are no public washrooms available at these sites.

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