There are 17 new cases of COVID-19 to report in Saskatchewan on Sept. 13, bringing the total to 1,726 reported cases. The new cases are located in the Saskatoon (14), Central West (1) and Central East (1) zones and one (1) case location is pending.
At least six of the 14 new cases in the Saskatoon zone are connected to a private gathering. Contact tracing and investigation is underway, which may result in more cases linked to this gathering.
Of the 1,726 reported cases, 99 are considered active. A total of 1,603 people have recovered, including one more recovery as of Sept. 13. Two people are in hospital receiving inpatient care in Saskatoon.
Investigations completed thus far have found that 34 of the 99 current active cases are from communal living settings.
Of the 1,726 cases in the province, 259 cases are travellers; 852 are community contacts (including mass gatherings); 516 have no known exposures; 99 are under investigation by local public health, and 69 cases are healthcare workers; however, the source of the infections may not be related to healthcare in all instances.
By age category, 284 cases involve people 19 years of age and under; 565 cases are in the 20-39 age range; 528 are in the 40-59 age range; 291 are in the 60-79 age range; and 58 are in the 80-plus range.
About 51 per cent of the cases are females and 49 per cent are males. Twenty-four deaths related to COVID-19 have been reported to date.
There are 430 cases from the south area (220 southwest, 197 south central, 13 southeast); 357 cases from the far north area (349 far northwest, 8 far northeast); 301 cases from the Saskatoon area; 270 cases from the north area (131 northwest, 73 north central, 66 northeast); 228 cases from the central area (168 central west, 60 central east); 139 cases from the Regina area, and one case location is pending.
To date, 158,456 COVID‐19 tests have been performed in Saskatchewan. As of September 11, when other provincial and national numbers were available from the Public Health Agency of Canada, Saskatchewan’s per capita rate was 112,628 people tested per million population. The national rate was 161,462 people tested per million population. (Please note yesterday’s per capita rate for Saskatchewan was incorrect and should have been 111,572.)
A total of 1,580 COVID-19 tests were performed in Saskatchewan on Sept. 12.
Gathering Sizes
With several of the new cases reported today linked to a specific gathering, Saskatchewan residents are reminded that indoor and outdoor gatherings may have a maximum of 30 people provided there is enough space to maintain a two-metre separation between individuals who are not in the same household.
Gathering sizes should be smaller if there isn’t enough space to maintain a physical distance of two metres at all times.
For food service at gatherings, potlucks are discouraged and there should be no shared platters of food or shared buffet service. If food is being served, it should be plated. One person should handle the preparation of food and drink following proper food safety protocols. This reduces the number of people who touch serving utensils or drink containers.
Remember to take precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19, including:
• Staying home if you are sick.
• Practicing proper cough and sneezing etiquette (into a tissue or the bend of your elbow).
• Washing your hands often with soap and water; if soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Maintaining physical distancing.
• Wearing a mask, especially when indoors in public places or with persons not in your extended household bubble.
COVID-19 Testing
COVID-19 testing is now available to anyone who requests it, regardless of whether they have symptoms or not. 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 providers, 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.
In Regina, the drive-through testing is at the International Trade Centre at Evraz Place - Hall C, 1700 Elphinstone Street, on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4 to 8 p.m., and on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
In Saskatoon, the drive-through is at 3630 Thatcher Avenue on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from noon to 7:15 p.m., and on Saturdays and Sundays from 8:30 a.m. to 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.
