Important Reminder about Gathering Sizes and Precautions
Saskatchewan’s Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Saqib Shahab is reminding people that they need to be safe this fall.
“We have done well in Saskatchewan in keeping our COVID case numbers low and manageable, however we need to remain vigilant,” Dr. Shahab said. “While most cases are linked to known clusters we are also seeing an increase in cases with no known exposure implying an increase in community transmission. This has led to additional cases in the community. Everyone needs to continue doing their part by taking precautions to stop the spread of COVID-19.
“As we approach Thanksgiving weekend and look forward to connecting with loved ones, we all have a responsibility to keep our family, friends and community safe by being mindful of our social gathering plans. Thank you to the people of Saskatchewan for your effort.”
“Our schools are open and our children are able to be back in class. We can do a lot of great things safely as outlined in the Re-open Saskatchewan Plan. Continuing to follow public health advice is crucial to ensuring our continued success.”
The safety precautions include:
• Staying home if you are sick, even if your symptoms are mild. This means not going shopping or attending social gatherings.
• Avoiding non-essential travel.
• As we enter fall, it is recommended that in-home gatherings are limited to your immediate family and extended household only. The concept of an extended household/bubble remains important.
• Private gatherings can have up to 30 guests, however only if a physical distance of two metres between households/extended households can be maintained. It is recommended that private in-home gatherings are limited only to your household or extended household.
• Maintain a two-metre physical distance from those outside of your extended household.
• Where it is difficult or uncertain to maintain two metres of physical distance, people are encouraged to wear non-medical masks (e.g. cloth or other materials).
• Practice proper hand washing hygiene.
There are 14 new cases of COVID-19 to report in Saskatchewan on Oct. 3, bringing the total to 1,954 reported cases. The new cases are located in the Saskatoon (3), Central East (4), Regina (2), South West (1), South Central (2) and South East (2) zones.
There are currently 19 active reported cases in Yorkton. Contact investigations have linked most cases to known clusters within the community. Testing and contact investigations continue and it is anticipated that additional individuals will receive positive test results.
Of the 1,954 reported cases, 148 are considered active. A total of 1,782 people have recovered, including 13 more recoveries as of Oct. 3.
One person is in hospital receiving care in an ICU in the Central East zone.
Of the 1,954 cases in the province to date, 296 cases are travellers; 962 are community contacts (including mass gatherings); 567 have no known exposures; 129 are under investigation by local public health, and 74 cases are healthcare workers; however, the source of the infections may not be related to healthcare in all instances.
By age category, 339 cases involve people 19 years of age and under; 643 cases are in the 20-39 age range; 599 are in the 40-59 age range; 309 are in the 60-79 age range; and 64 are in the 80-plus range.
About 51 per cent of the cases are females and 49 per cent are males.Twenty-fourdeaths related to COVID-19 have been reported to date.
There are 450 cases are from the south area (225 southwest, 204 south central, 21 southeast); 402 cases are from the Saskatoon area; 359 cases are from the far north area (350 far northwest, 0 far north central, 9 far northeast); 281 cases are from the north area (132 northwest, 80 north central, 69 northeast); 272 cases are from the central area (176 central west, 96 central east), and 190 cases are from the Regina area.
To date, 198,105 COVID-19 tests have been performed in Saskatchewan. As of Oct. 1, when other provincial and national numbers are available from Public Health Agency of Canada, Saskatchewan’s per capita rate was 138,016 people tested per million population. The national rate was 199,264 people tested per million population.
A total of 2,819 COVID-19 tests were performed in Saskatchewan on Oct. 2.
COVID-19 Testing
COVID-19 testing is available to anyone who requests it. A referral for testing can be made by contacting HealthLine 811, your physician or nurse practitioner. If you require urgent care, call 911.
Note that testing is prioritized for symptomatic individuals. Symptomatic patients in acute care and symptomatic and asymptomatic healthcare workers and first responders, residents in long term care or personal care homes, teachers and educational staff are also prioritized.
If you are symptomatic and call 811 to book a test, you will be booked for a test approximately 48 hours after the reported onset of symptoms. Symptomatic Saskatchewan residents planning to attend a drive-through site are asked to attend after experiencing symptoms for 48 hours. Drive-through staff may advise symptomatic residents return at that 48-hour mark to ensure an accurate result.
If you are asymptomatic and planning to travel but require a test, please allow a minimum of seven days from the date of your test through to notification of results. You can also view your results directly on MySaskHealthRecord. Drive-through testing sites that do not require a referral are operating in Regina and Saskatoon. This is in addition to the testing and assessment centres currently open.
In Regina, the testing is at the International Trade Centre at Evraz Place - Hall C, 1700 Elphinstone Street on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 4 to 8 p.m. and on Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
In Saskatoon, go to 3630 Thatcher Avenue on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 12 p.m. - 7:15 p.m. and on Saturdays and Sundays from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
A valid Saskatchewan Health Card will be required for each person getting tested. A Canadian Armed Forces number or Interim Federal Health identification will also be accepted. Individuals from out of province will require a valid provincial health card from their province of residence.
You will be required to wear a mask during the registration process.
The drive-through sites will be first come, first served so there may be some wait times. You must wait in your vehicle. There are no public washrooms available at these sites.
