Dr. Saqib Shahab — Saskatchewan’s chief medical health officer. (file photo/CKOM News Staff)

By paNOW Staff

No new cases

No new cases of COVID-19 in province, eighth death recorded

May 26, 2020 | 2:11 PM

Another resident in the Far North region who tested positive for COVID-19 has died, bringing the provincial total to eight.

The resident was in their 50s.

An additional death remains under investigation as fatalities from the virus need to be confirmed by the medical health officer and ensured they meet epidemiological criteria.

As of today, there are no new cases of COVID-19. The total remains at 634.

Of those cases, 77 are considered active. Three more have recovered, bringing the provincial total to 549.

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There are five people in hospital, with two patients receiving inpatient care (one in Regina and one in the North) and three in intensive care in Saskatoon.

Latest COVID-19 numbers in Saskatchewan. (Aaron Schulze/northeastNOW Staff)

Of all the cases, 141 are travellers, 361 are community contacts (including mass gatherings), 77 have no known exposures and 55 are under investigation by public health.

Premier Scott Moe says Saskatchewan people have been doing their part to keep new case numbers low.

“This is now 16 days in a row that Saskatchewan has had more recoveries than we have had new cases,” he said.

Across the province, 50 cases are health care workers (although not all may have sourced their infections at work), 252 are from the Far North, 167 are from the Saskatoon area, 111 from the North, 76 from the Regina area, 16 from the South and 12 from the central region.

There are 93 cases involving people aged 19 and under.

There are 226 cases in the 20 to 39 age range, 193 in the 40 to 59 age range, 104 in the 60 to 79 age range and 18 in the 80-plus age range.

The total COVID-19 cases in Saskatchewan, as of May 26. (submitted photo/SHA)

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

As of today, 44,580 COVID-19 tests have been performed in the province.

Health Minister Jim Reiter said the SHA is currently working on a plan to expand visiting criteria to hospitals and long-term care homes, although caution is needed because these populations are particularly vulnerable to the virus.

“But we do recognize that there’s incidences in long term care facilities especially where frankly seniors are lonely and it’s very difficult for them and we don’t want to have them in that situation any longer than necessary,” he said.

The SHA is looking to a phased approach to visiting set to begin the first week of June.

Details will be announced soon.

Joint Statement of Principles

On May 20, the Ministry of Health, the Saskatchewan Health Authority, SEIU-West, SGEU, HSAS, SUN, and CUPE signed a joint statement of principles to recognize the health and safety of healthcare workers, patients, clients and residents.

The agreement is part of weekly meetings where all discuss the status of personal protective equipment, supply chains and ways to keep all safe.

Those who are returning to work can be tested for COVID-19 if they choose. Testing is available to anyone working outside the home or if they will return to work as part of the Re-Open Saskatchewan plan.

—

panews@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @princealbertnow