2 new coronavirus cases, 9 more recoveries in Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan reported two new coronavirus cases on Thursday, raising the overall total in the province to 639.

The province also reported nine more recoveries, bringing the number of recoveries to 568.

One new case is in the far north, while the other is in Saskatoon, where a community outbreak was declared on Wednesday.

Health officials said it is linked to two large family gatherings earlier in May when upwards of 60 people gathered.

Public health orders currently limit the size of public and private gatherings to no more than 10 people.

Those involved in the Saskatoon family gatherings will not be fined.

“If it’s repeated, not following the public health orders, most certainly we would move forward with a fine, a monetary penalty,” Premier Scott Moe said, noting that has happened in other instances.

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There are currently 61 active cases — 46 of those in the far north.

Other regions with active cases are Saskatoon (seven), the north (five), Regina (two) and the south region (one). The central region has no active cases.

Four people are in hospital — three in intensive care in Saskatoon and one receiving inpatient care in Regina.

Here is a breakdown of total Saskatchewan cases by age:

• 94 people are 19 and under
• 228 people are 20 to 39
• 195 are 40 to 59
• 104 people are 60 to 79
• 18 people are 80 and over

Males make up 48 per cent of the cases, females 52 per cent.

Officials said 369 cases are linked to community contact or mass gatherings, 141 are travel-related, 76 have no known exposure and 53 are under investigation by public health.

Saskatchewan has completed 45,869 tests so far for the virus, up 751 from Wednesday. It is the highest number of tests carried out in one day since May 16, when 864 tests were performed.

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

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. In situations where you can’t keep a safe distance from others, public health officials recommend the use of a non-medical face mask or covering to prevent spreading the respiratory droplets that can carry the virus.

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