Saskatchewan records its highest one-day total of new coronavirus cases

As Saskatchewan enters Phase 1 of its reopening plan, the province recorded its highest one-day total of new coronavirus cases.

Health officials reported 34 new cases on Monday — 29 in the far north, four in the north and one in the Saskatoon region.

The previous one-day high was March 27 when 30 new cases were reported.

There are now 467 total cases in the province, 154 which are considered active.

Eleven people are in hospital, with four people in intensive care — three in Saskatoon and one in the north. Five people in Saskatoon and two in the north are receiving inpatient care.

Two more people have recovered, bringing total recoveries to 307.

The outbreak in the far north continues to spread. All of the 29 new cases in the far north are in La Loche and the surrounding communities.

The majority of the active cases in the province — 97 — are in the far north, out of 110 total cases in the region.

3:20 Coronavirus outbreak: Saskatchewan premier says government has not ‘failed’ province’s north region

Premier Scott Moe said he doesn’t believe his government has failed the far north, which currently accounts for just over 60 per cent of the active cases in the province.

“Have we failed in any way? No, most certainly not,” Moe said”

“We’ve been working not only very closely with the community of La Loche, but with other communities throughout the north.”

Moe said people in the area will see a more active role from the government in the coming days as more testing is carried out.

He said an increase in positive cases in the region is expected in the coming days.

“We’re going back to about two weeks from when the infection started, when physical distancing wasn’t the priority it is today in those communities,” Moe said in reference to increased testing.

“We have increased our testing capacity so when we need to utilize it we are able to utilize it.”

Moe said everyone in the province, not just those in the north, need to keep their guard up.

“If you let it down for a moment with respect to physical distancing, if you let it down for a moment with respect to ensuring that you are taking every precaution when you are out shopping, when you are out and about… the infection of COVID-19 can be very rapid.”

The north region now has 35 active cases out of its 93 overall cases, while the Saskatoon region has 162 total cases and 17 active cases.

The CEO of the Saskatchewan Health Authority confirmed the one positive case at Victoria Hospital in Prince Albert, where an outbreak was declared last week, is related to La Loche.

“We have no new cases related to Victoria Hospital with only one positive case,” Scott Livingstone said.

“Through contact tracing, we currently have 91 health-care workers identified as close contacts and seven patients associated with that single positive case.”

Livingstone said testing has been carried out on 46 health-care worker and all are asymptomatic. He expects the rest of the testing to be completed within the next day.

“Seven patients are under isolation, another 10 in close contact with the positive patient. But we have opted to screen and monitor these individuals and all are asymptomatic.

No new cases were reported in the Regina, central or south regions.

There have been six deaths reported in Saskatchewan due to COVID-19.

Phase 1 of Reopening Saskatchewan started on Monday, with the exception of La Loche and Lloydminster, where outbreaks have been declared.

People can now access medical services that were previously restricted, access boat launches at provincial parks, and start reserving campsites.

1:32 Saskatchewan begins reopening as COVID-19 cases climb in the north

“This is important as today we begin to turn the dimmer switch up just a little bit on our economy,” Moe said.

“We begin taking our first few steps towards getting back to normal, not the normal we once knew, but a new normal.”

Moe said the latest case numbers do not give him pause to put on hold the reopening plans.

“The vast number of communities across the province are pretty quiet when it comes to infections.

“We should be moving forward with our reopen Saskatchewan plan in those communities,” Moe said, adding that the plan is cautious and methodical.

Moe also said the Saskatchewan Health Authority will release details on Tuesday for resumption of some of its services and some surgical procedures.

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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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