Two new cases of COVID-19 in Saskatchewan

There are four people in hospital, with one patient receiving inpatient care in Regina. Three patients are in intensive care in Saskatoon.

Of all the cases, 141 are travellers, 369 are community contacts (including mass gatherings), 76 have no known exposures and 53 are under investigation by public health.

Across the province, 50 cases are health care workers (although not all may have sourced their infections at work), 253 are from the Far North, 168 are from the Saskatoon area, 112 from the North, 78 from the Regina area, 16 from the South and 12 from the central region.

The latest COVID-19 cases in the province as of May 28. (submitted photo/SHA)

There are 94 cases involving people aged 19 and under.

There are 228 cases in the 20 to 39 age range, 195 in the 40 to 59 age range, 104 in the 60 to 79 age range and 18 in the 80-plus age range.

Fifty-two per cent of cases are females and 48 per cent are males.

As of today, 45,869 COVID-19 tests have been performed in the province.

The latest COVID-19 numbers in Saskatchewan plotted on a graph. (Aaron Schulze/northeastNOW Staff)

State of Emergency remains in effect

The provincial state of emergency was extended for two weeks. While case numbers are still low, residents are advised to continue following all public health orders, including the order limiting public and private gatherings to no more than 10 people.

The recent community-transmitted outbreak in Saskatoon related to two large family gatherings reinforces why orders should be followed.

At Thursday’s provincial update, Premier Scott Moe was asked why no fines have been given out to those who organized or attended the events. Moe said the goal of the public health orders is to have people comply, not to fine them – mostly they’ve been relying on education.

“There have been some fines that have been administered over the last few months, but those have only come about after great outreach with respect to education, warnings, and then ultimately if there still is not compliance with the public health orders then there have been very few fines that have been administered,” said Moe.

To stop the spread of COVID-19, the province advises:

Practice proper cough and sneezing etiquette (into a tissue or the bend of your elbow);

Wash your hands often with soap and water; if soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer;
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands;
Clean and disinfect your home regularly;
Avoid close contact with people who are sick;
Stay home if you are sick; and
Practice physical distancing.

On Thursday, Saskatchewan’s Chief Medical Health Officer, Dr. Saqib Shahab, said we should all be thinking about the third phase already, that we should be considering how we’re going to behave and engage.

“I think going to restaurants is going to be a different experience from shopping. So going with your household initially, so you’re maintaining the same group but you’re having the pleasure of actually eating out instead of taking food out,” said Shahab.

Even though the gathering limit is rising, Shahab said we should be thoughtful about any potential gatherings.

“Why are we having a gathering? How are we going to lay things out? How can we serve food in a pre-prepared place, for example, and not have everyone helping themselves,” said Shahab

Shahab said they’re getting a lot of questions about outdoor physical activity and sports. He said they’re working on guidelines for outdoor recreational activities for the summer that will be included in Phase 4, whenever that’s set to happen.

—With files from CKOM News Staff

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panews@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @princealbertnow

by paNOW Staff

Two new cases of COVID-19 in Saskatchewan

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