1 new coronavirus case in Saskatchewan, total rises to 316

Health officials reported one new coronavirus case in northern Saskatchewan on Monday, raising the overall total in the province to 316.

Four people are currently in hospital — one in Regina and two in Saskatoon are receiving in-patient care. One person in Regina is in intensive care.

Four more people have recovered, bringing total recoveries to 238.

There are currently 74 active cases in the province, health officials said.

Active cases are total cases less recoveries and deaths.

There have been four COVID-19-related deaths in Saskatchewan.

Dr. Saqib Shahab, the province’s chief medical health officer, said although the curve appears to be flattening, it is important for people to continue practising physical-distancing measures.

“(This) really means that we are keeping the curve flat and actually bending it downwards, so that’s very reassuring,” Shahab said.

“But again, while that’s very reassuring, it still means we have to continue doing everything that we’ve been doing.”

3:37 Coronavirus outbreak: Saskatchewan health official says province’s COVID-19 curve ‘remains flat,’ reports 1 new case

He said people can’t become complacent with warm weather coming.

“You can enjoy the nice weather as long as you maintain physical distancing,” Shahab said.

“If you have children with you avoid children mixing and starting games where they may be handing things back and forth. That’s still really important.”

While Shahab wouldn’t speculate on when some restrictions would be lifted, saying that was up to the province to decide, he did say current physical-distancing measures must be maintained when that happens.

“What we are doing today will have to continue even if there are other activities or opportunities that become permissible,” he said.

“We should understand that until such a time that there’s an effective vaccine or treatment or until a time that most of us have some level of immunity, we will have to maintain physical distancing.”

1:40 Coronavirus: Grocery program bringing communities together during pandemic

• Coronavirus: Grocery program bringing communities together during pandemic
• EAL classrooms shift to a remote learning environment
• Coronavirus: Battlefords Boys and Girls Club changes its strategy
• Saskatchewan musicians play on during COVID-19 uncertainty
• Saskatchewan care homes on alert after resident, employee test positive for COVID-19
• Saskatchewan projects up to $3.3B in lost revenue due to COVID-19

Previous Video

Next Video

Health officials said 134 cases in the province are travel-related, with 132 due to contacts or mass gatherings. Another 30 have no known exposures and 20 remain under investigation.

The Saskatoon region has 149 cases, the Regina area 70 cases and the north region 60 cases.

The south region has 15 cases, the central region 11 cases and the far north 11 cases.

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.