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4 new coronavirus cases in Saskatchewan, active cases drop to 64

WATCH: The Saskatchewan Health Authority provides an update on the coronavirus situation in the province.

Saskatchewan reported more coronavirus recoveries than new cases on Tuesday.

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Health officials said there were four new cases in the province, bringing the overall total to 320 since March 11.

Five people are currently in hospital — two in Regina, one who is in intensive care, two in Saskatoon and one in the far north.

Fourteen more people have recovered, bringing total recoveries to 252.

There are currently 64 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.

Saskatchewan Health Authority CEO Scott Livingstone said the agency is working on new modelling to see if the worst-case scenario has shifted.

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“Next week, we will share with you more of what we are learning and what we may be adjusting both in our response plan on both offence and defence as a result of those new numbers,” Livingstone said.

“For now, what I will say is we are still planning for the worst. We are still planning for extraordinary demand on our acute care units.”

Health officials said 135 cases in the province are travel-related, with 134 due to contacts or mass gatherings. Another 31 have no known exposures and 20 remain under investigation.

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Of the 150 total cases reported in the Saskatoon area, 29 are considered active.

In the Regina area, 14 of the 71 total cases are active, while the north region has 60 total and seven active cases.

The south region has 15 total cases and one active case, the central region 11 total cases and two active cases, and the far north 13 total cases and 11 active cases.

Over 24,800 tests have been carried out and while daily testing numbers are dropping, Livingstone said that is due to less demand.

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“We’re just not seeing people show up with symptoms of COVID-19. We’re also seeing in some cases a drop in the number of calls to 811 in other areas,” Livingstone said.

“That doesn’t mean we don’t have the ability to test more, we just aren’t seeing those patients.”

Livingstone added they can provide upwards of 1,500 tests daily if required.

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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.

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

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