Saskatchewan saw the biggest one day spike in COVID-19 cases on Wednesday with 60 new cases reported.
The big jump in case numbers, most of them seen in Hutterite communities, dominated the news conference in Regina with Premier Scott Moe and chief medical officer Dr. Saqib Shahab.
Of the 60 new cases, 50 are in the South region and 48 are on colonies in the southwest and west-central regions. 43 cases were recorded on one colony alone in the RM of Lawtonia. The new numbers pushed the overall number of COVID-19 cases seen in the province to over a thousand --- to 1,030.
“Today’s case numbers are very concerning but not entirely unexpected”, said Premier Moe. He noted the large number was a result of the testing and contact tracing that have been underway in a number of Hutterite communities by the Saskatchewan Health Authority.
Moe acknowledged we could see similar increases in other communities in the days ahead.
Moe did note that everyone was being asked in the affected areas to take a number of steps to protect themselves from COVID-19 including: staying in your home community as much as possible, self isolating and getting tested if you are feeling unwell, self isolating and getting tested if you have been in contact with anyone with known to have tested positive, and limit your interpersonal contact in group gatherings as much as possible.
The Premier said that for the most part they have received very good cooperation from the Hutterian Safety Council and community leaders. However he said there have been a few isolated reports of individuals who have not been following guidelines and who travelled outside of their communities for non-essential reasons, even when not feeling well.
“We are in the process of speaking with all the leaders of all the Hutterite communities where there is a significant number of cases,” said Moe. “ and we are working with these local leaders to enact restrictions on all non-essential travel in and out of the community. We are working with the local leaders in limiting the essential travel to a small number of designated individuals. This includes travel between Hutterite communities.”
He also said it was important for everyone in the province not to stigmatize members of these communities. They have also offered the assistance of the Public Safety Agency if required.
As for how to get the outbreak under control, Moe pointed to Access to testing and good public information, and in following the guidelines put forward, adding this was how La Loche and surrounding communities were able to get their outbreak under control.
Saskatchewan chief medical health officer Dr. Saqib Shahab notes that cases were found on 17 Hutterite communities. He also reminded people that the risk is not only in these communities — “the risk is widespread, there are sporadic cases throughout the province.”
He also urged people to get tested saying the earlier they move forward with testing, the earlier they’ll get ahead of the outbreak.
The Premier was asked during the news conference whether they could use their powers under the Public Health Act to impose restrictions and blockades.
Premier Moe acknowledged those powers were there, but said it was “always better to work with the local leaders on how we can contain the spread.”
