In an address to Saskatchewan residents, Scott Moe, Saskatchewan’s premier, said the province is planning to gradually allow businesses and services to reopen.
“Tonight [April 22], I can tell you without any doubt, it [the anti-COVID-19 measures] is working. Saskatchewan has reduced the spread of COVID-19. We have flattened the curve and that is thanks to you, each and every one of you,” he said.
“We have seen what happened in other parts of the world where this virus spread quickly, and the health system became overwhelmed. Thankfully, that has not happened here and that is because of you.”
A plan to reopen the province will be released tomorrow.
“It is a plan that is developed in close consultation with Saskatchewan chief medical health officer Dr. [Saqib] Shahab, and it is a plan that will be carried out in five phases, Moe said. “As we proceed with each phase, we will carefully monitor COVID-19 case numbers, and we will adjust the plan as required.”
As of April 22, there have been 326 cases of the virus, with 261 recoveries, 61 active cases, five people in hospital and four deaths.
“To put those numbers in context on a per capita basis, the number of COVID-19 cases in Saskatchewan is about 70 per cent below the Canadian average, and the number of serious outcomes, hospitalizations and deaths is more than 90 per cent below the national average,” Moe said, adding that the testing rate is more than 40 per cent higher than the national average.
The premier said the government knows there are risks on both sides.
“If we move too quickly, we risk increasing the spread of COVID-19. If we move too slowly, we risk permanent damage to the livelihoods of thousands of Saskatchewan people,” he said.
“Let me be very clear: this will be a gradual methodical and cautious process. It's not like flipping on a light switch. If anything, it's more like a dimmer switch that's been turned out.”
