13 new coronavirus cases reported in Saskatchewan, provincial total rises to 206

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said the province will release the province’s coronavirus projection numbers to the public.

Moe made the announcement as health officials in Saskatchewan reported 13 new coronavirus cases in the province on Thursday, bringing the total to 206.

The Saskatchewan Health Authority will release the projections early next week, Moe said.

“The more information we are able to provide to the people of Saskatchewan, the better informed that we will all be as our province works to reduce the spread of COVID-19,” Moe said

“This briefing will include models, and it will include projections of the spread of COVID-19 in Saskatchewan and an update on the steps that our health system is taking to expand our capacity for surges due to COVID-19.”

2:19 Coronavirus outbreak: Saskatchewan to provide modelling projections of COVID-19 to public

Moe said a wide range of scenarios is expected.

“We have all seen those projections that are being made in other places, and you know as I do that they vary widely,” he said.

“That is because there are so many factors that impact these projections.”

Half the reported cases — 103 — are in the Saskatoon area.

Regina now has 44 cases, while there are 38 cases reported in the north.

There are currently nine cases in the central region, nine in the south and three in the far north.

Officials said two people are in intensive care — one each in Saskatoon and Regina — and two people are in acute care in Saskatoon.

Six more people have recovered, officials said, bringing the total number to 36 — 17.5 per cent of the reported cases.

Three people have died to date in the province due to complications from COVID-19, a fatality rate of 1.5 per cent.

1:35 Coronavirus outbreak: Saskatchewan reports 13 new cases of COVID-19

Health officials said 10 of the cases are the result of no known exposures and are not the result of travel or community contacts.

Of the known causes, 96 cases are travellers and 44 are community contacts, including mass gatherings. Officials continue to investigate the cause of transmission in 56 cases.

Shahab said six health care provides are among those who have tested positive for COVID-19.

“In two cases there was not direct patient contact, so the exposure could have happened in a community setting or in a healthcare environment,” Shahab said.

“We also are aware of four instances where care was being provided in a primary care setting, but that flag wasn’t brought up that someone had respiratory symptoms and a proper PPE was not being used.”

Moe said a main priority for the government is obtaining personal protection equipment.

“While Saskatchewan has been working diligently to procure the equipment that we need, it is important that we work together as a nation to ensure that each jurisdiction is working in tandem and working collaboratively.”

Moe said PPE procurement will be brought up when the premiers and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau meet by teleconference later in the day.

Although the number of coronavirus cases in the province continues to rise, officials are emphasizing that social distancing appears to be working.

Shahab caution, though, that it is too soon for anyone to let down their guard.

“We are at a critical point. We have seen significant surges not just in Europe but in other parts of North America,” he said.

“So far we appear to be fairly stable. It’s really important that we continue to maintain that discipline for the next little.”

1:22 Family of COVID-19 victim wants more transparency from Saskatchewan government

• Family of COVID-19 victim wants more transparency from Saskatchewan government
• University of Saskatchewan not changing grading system despite calls for leniency during pandemic
• Saskatchewan schools prepare for distance learning
• SHA creating guidelines so healthcare system can triage coronavirus patients
• Coronavirus: Saskatchewan microbiologist warns homemade masks can be ineffective

Previous Video

Next Video

Questions about COVID-19? Here are some things you need to know:

Health officials caution against all international travel. Returning travellers are legally obligated to self-isolate for 14 days, beginning March 26, in case they develop symptoms and to prevent spreading the virus to others. Some provinces and territories have also implemented additional recommendations or enforcement measures to ensure those returning to the area self-isolate.

Symptoms can include fever, cough and difficulty breathing — very similar to a cold or flu. Some people can develop a more severe illness. People most at risk of this include older adults and people with severe chronic medical conditions like heart, lung or kidney disease. If you develop symptoms, contact public health authorities.

To prevent the virus from spreading, experts recommend frequent handwashing and coughing into your sleeve. They also recommend minimizing contact with others, staying home as much as possible and maintaining a distance of two metres from other people if you go out.

For full COVID-19 coverage from Global News, click here.