Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Saqib Shahab. (Canadian Press)

By paNOW Staff

Latest Update

Two additional deaths from COVID-19 brings provincial total to 10

May 27, 2020 | 2:09 PM

The province has recorded two additional deaths from COVID-19 in the Far North region.

One person was an individual in their 80s and the other was a person in their 60s.

A total of 10 people have died from the virus in Saskatchewan.

As of May 27, there are three new cases of COVID-19 registered in the province, bringing the total to 637. Of those cases, 68 are considered active.

Ten more have recovered, bringing the provincial total to 559.

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The latest COVID-19 numbers in Saskatchewan. (Aaron Schulze/northeastNOW Staff)

Two of the new cases are in the Regina region and one is in the Far North.

There are four people in hospital, with one patient receiving inpatient care in Regina. Three patients are in intensive care in Saskatoon.

Of all the cases, 141 are travellers, 363 are community contacts (including mass gatherings), 77 have no known exposures and 56 are under investigation by public health.

Across the province, 50 cases are health care workers (although not all may have sourced their infections at work), 253 are from the Far North, 167 are from the Saskatoon area, 111 from the North, 78 from the Regina area, 16 from the South and 12 from the central region.

The latest numbers of COVID-19 in the province as of May 27. (submitted photo/SHA)

There are 93 cases involving people aged 19 and under.

There are 227 cases in the 20 to 39 age range, 195 in the 40 to 59 age range, 104 in the 60 to 79 age range and 18 in the 80-plus age range.

Fifty-one per cent of cases are females and 49 per cent are males.

As of today, 45,118 COVID-19 tests have been performed in the province.

From North to South

Asked about reports of Northern residents being denied medical appointments in southern areas of the province, Dr. Susan Shaw with the Saskatchewan Health Authority said service providers have the right to ask screening questions. But, she said, that shouldn’t be a barrier for asymptomatic people receiving care.

“People should be able to access services regardless of location as long as they’re asymptomatic and the risks are managed.”

In the case of emergencies, Shaw says there should be absolutely no barriers to people accessing care.

Restrictions on gatherings

While provincial officials acknowledge the temptation to host larger family gatherings, residents are reminded the public health order limiting gatherings to 10 people remains in effect.

The following measures to stop COVID-19 from spreading must continue:

• Continue physical distancing of two metres.
• You can form an extended household group with one or two families or friends. This group must remain consistent. Do not visit different families or friends every day.
• People in the same extended household group without high-risk people can be closer than two metres.
• The limit on gathering sizes still applies to extended household groups. You should always be aware of who you have been in contact with over the past two weeks. If you test positive for COVID-19, these are the people who will need to be contacted by public health.

Outbreak declared in Saskatoon

The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) has declared a community outbreak in Saskatoon.

According to a media release, Dr. Johnmark Opondo made it official today. The outbreak was declared after one confirmed and one presumptive case between May 21 and 26.

These cases are the result of two family gatherings earlier this month that exceeded the public health order of 10 people. The reason why it was declared an outbreak because it involves multiple different households.

The contract tracing investigation involves 60 plus people but the SHA said it is contained. All close contacts are isolating at home and the SHA said there is no risk to the public.

Dr. Saqib Shahab says today’s new cases and an outbreak investigation launched in Saskatoon are a reminder to take the threat of the virus seriously.

“COVID is still throughout Saskatchewan and we need to keep taking all the precautions we have to to prevent further transmission as our economy reopens,” he said.

—With files from Alison Sandstrom

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panews@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @princealbertnow