Of 13 new COVID-19 cases in province, 12 are linked to La Loche

Currently, 19 people are in hospital with 15 receiving inpatient care (six in the North and nine in Saskatoon). There are four patients in intensive care (three in Saskatoon and one in the North.)

Of the province’s cases, 138 are travellers, 260 are community contacts (including mass gatherings), 56 have no known exposures, and 90 are under investigation by local public health.

There are 44 cases involving health care workers (although not all sourced their infections at work), 179 cases are from the Far North, 163 are from the Saskatoon area, 100 are from the North, 76 are from the Regina area, 15 are from the South, and 11 are from the Central region.

The latest numbers as of May 8. (submitted photo/SHA)

There are 72 cases involving people 19 years old and younger.

Fifty per cent of cases are males and 50 per cent are females.

Six people have died from the virus in the province.

To date, the province has conducted 35,176 tests.

Clarity on outbreak notification

Public health declares an outbreak to mobilize and coordinate a response and isn’t necessarily an indicator of risk to the public, the province said.

The definition of an outbreak varies by setting. The province said it will publicly announce outbreaks within Saskatchewan Health Authority facilities, personal care homes, homeless shelters and correctional facilities.

Outbreaks in a workplace, industrial or commercial space will be done on a case-by-case basis and when deemed appropriate and necessary, the province said, citing privacy reasons.

In the absence of an outbreak, the public will be notified if there’s a risk of transmission to the public.

La Loche outbreak

Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency President Marlo Pritchard says reported supply shortages in La Loche are short-term. According to the premier, the store was closed, following a positive case there.

“The cleaning supplies that the SPSA is rolling out will be in the community today and I was also advised that the store, unless something goes sideways, the store will be open again tomorrow,” Pritchard said.

Pritchard said they continue to receive deliveries of cleaning supplies and critical food for the store.

Re-Open Saskatchewan

The province’s phased reopening is now in its second week of phase one. Further guidelines have been added to the plan and can be viewed here.

Premier Scott Moe said farmers’ markets will be allowed to open May 19.

Drive in theatres will be allowed to open May 15.

Moe said it is possible to reopen the economy while keeping the curve flat.

“It has sometimes seemed, all to often that it has been some sort of binary choice that we are being asked to make in this province and in this nation, do you want to reopen the economy or do you want to control the spread of COVID-19?” he said.

While business restrictions are being lifted gradually, residents are reminded the plan hasn’t changed their need to comply with the public health order.

This includes:

Limiting public and private gatherings – inside and outside – to no more than 10 people.

Maintaining physical distancing by keeping two metres away from others.
Avoiding unnecessary travel.
Exercising caution when forming an extended household group and being aware of who you have been in contact with over the past two weeks. If you test positive for COVID-19, these are the people who will need to be contacted by public health.
Stay home if you’re sick or symptomatic.

Mother’s Day

Because of visitor restrictions at long-term care homes, hospitals and personal care homes, some may not be able to connect with their loved ones this weekend.

For Mother’s Day gifts, the Saskatchewan Health Authority determined flowers from a florist and dry paper gifts are not an infection risk. Purchased floral arrangements, dry paper gifts such as cards, letters, books, photos and artwork will be allowed.

Some acute care settings may not permit floral arrangements due to allergies.

Emergency support for Saskatchewan small businesses

The Government of Saskatchewan announced today the Small Business Emergency Payment plan has been extended to May for businesses who will remain closed or substantially curtail operations after May 19.

Businesses will not need to reapply for the program and those that qualify will receive a payment after May 19. The program was originally introduced on April 13 to help small and medium businesses that temporarily closed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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panews@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @princealbertnow

by paNOW Staff

Of 13 new COVID-19 cases in province, 12 are linked to La Loche

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