There are a growing number of COVID-19 positive cases and rising level of transmission within communities and communal living venues in southwest and west-central Saskatchewan. While some cases have links to communal settings, it is crucial to note that there are also several other, unrelated increases in cases in this geographical area. This overall increased level of COVID-19 activity means there is an increased risk of transmission to the public.
There are 42 new cases of COVID-19 to report in Saskatchewan on July 16, bringing the total to 923 cases.Thirty-one of the new cases are in the South, six are in the Central region, four are in the Saskatoon region and one is in the North.
Of the 923 reported cases, 114 are considered active. A total of 794 people have recovered.
Eleven people are in hospital. Nine people are receiving inpatient care; seven in Saskatoon, one in the South and one in the North. Two people are in intensive care; one in Saskatoon and one in the South.
Of the 923 cases in the province, 180 cases are travellers; 504 are community contacts (including mass gatherings); 134 have no known exposures; 105 are under investigation by local public health, and 58 cases are health care workers; however, the source of the infections may not be related to health care in all instances.
By region, 339 of the cases are from the Far North, 204 are from the Saskatoon area, 121 from the North, 115 from the South, 85 from the Regina area and 59 from the Central region.
By age category, 130 cases involve people 19 years of age and under; 321 cases are in the 20-39 age range; 285 are in the 40-59 age range; 161 are in the 60-79 age range; and 26 are in the 80-plus range.
About 51 per cent of the cases are females and 49 per cent are males. Fifteen deaths related to COVID-19 have been reported to date.
To date, 78,851 COVID‐19 tests have been performed in Saskatchewan. As of July 14, when other provincial and national numbers were available from the Public Health Agency of Canada, Saskatchewan’s per capita rate was 56,964 people tested per million population. The national rate was 88,906 people tested per million population.
Visitor Restrictions
As a result of an increased risk for COVID-19 in the southwest and west-central areas of Saskatchewan, visitation at Cypress Regional Hospital, long-term care homes and personal care homes in the area will be temporarily restricted.
At Cypress Regional Hospital, family members or support people will only be permitted for compassionate reasons. In long-term care homes and personal care homes, visitation will be restricted to outdoor visits and end-of-life care.
The full advisory from the Saskatchewan Health Authority can be found here at https://www.saskhealthauthority.ca/news/releases/Pages/2020/July/Visitor-restrictions-at-CRH-and-LTC-in-SW-and-West-Central-Saskatchewan.aspx.
Remember the Fundamentals to Prevent COVID-19 Transmission
Saskatchewan residents across the province are reminded to follow the public health measures and personal safety precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Safety precautions include:
• physical distancing to maintain two metres of separation;
• implementing proper hygiene practices (coughing or sneezing into a tissue or your elbow);
• frequent handwashing;
• self-isolating if you are sick;
• avoiding crowded places; and
• following provincial public health orders.
Anyone with symptoms of fever, cough, shortness of breath, headaches, aches and pains, sore throat, chills, runny nose or a loss of sense of taste or smell, should protect themselves and others by staying home, self-isolating and getting tested for COVID-19.
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.
General public inquiries may be directed to COVID19@health.gov.sk.ca.
