Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Saqib Shahab. (Canadian Press)

By paNOW Staff

preparing for phase 4

Two more cases of COVID-19 in Sask., gathering numbers expand at places of worship

Jun 11, 2020 | 3:19 PM

As the province expands gathering numbers permitted at places of worship, there are two new COVID-19 cases in Saskatchewan, with one in the Saskatoon region and one in the Far North region.

The new provincial total is 660.

Of those reported cases, 21 are considered active. There have been 626 individuals who have recovered from COVID-19.

One person remains in the hospital’s intensive care unit in Saskatoon.

Of the 660 cases in Saskatchewan, 145 cases are travellers, 398 are community contacts (including mass gatherings), 79 have no known exposures and 38 are under investigation by local public health.

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Overall, 51 cases are health care workers, although not all have sourced their infections at work, 262 cases are from the Far North, 176 are from the Saskatoon area, 112 from the North, 80 from the Regina area, 18 from the South, and 12 are from the central region.

COVID-19 cases in the province, as of June 11. (submitted photo/SHA)

There are 98 cases involving people 19 years old and younger. The remainder are adults.

There are 234 cases in the 20 to 39 age range, 200 in the 40 to 59 age range, 110 in the 60 to 79 age range, and 18 in the 80-plus age range.

Fifty-one per cent of cases are females while 49 per cent are males.

Thirteen deaths related to COVID-19 have been reported to date.

Up until today, 53,853 tests for COVID-19 have been performed in the province.

Testing is available to anyone working outside the home or returning to work as part of the Re-Open Saskatchewan Plan.

Testing is also available to anyone admitted to acute care for more than 24 hours, including expectant mothers. Immunocompromised individuals and their health care providers are also eligible for testing.

Phase Four

The province issued new guidelines for the next phase of its Re-Open Saskatchewan Plan. A target date for the first part of phase four will be announced early next week.

In the early steps of the next phase, the province will include guidelines for child and youth day camps, outdoor pools and splash pads, and outdoor sports.

The second part of phase four will include indoor pools, indoor rinks, libraries, museums, galleries, movie theatres, casinos and bingo halls.

As part of changes to the current phase, public health is extending the number of people allowed in a place of worship. The increase permits one third of a facility’s seating capacity or a maximum of 150 people — whichever is less.

While the number of people permitted in a place of worship increases, physical distancing measures still need to be followed. The guidelines apply to all worship services, including funerals, weddings and other outdoor ceremonies.

Grad 2020

The government continues to review public health guidelines to help graduates and families celebrate.

Some suggested options from the province are:

• Virtual services – public health officials say these are the safest option.
• Drive-in services – can proceed as long as public health measures are in place. Guidelines have been developed for staging these services.
• Outdoor services – these may proceed if they are held outdoors with a maximum of 30 graduates per class and an overall attendance of 150 people. That total includes the number of graduates, guests and staff members. Schools with larger classes may need to hold several ceremonies. All services must comply with public health measures.

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panews@jpbg.ca