Saskatchewan announces sixth COVID-19 death, 17 new cases

A sixth resident of Saskatchewan has died due to complications related to COVID-19.

In a media release Wednesday, the provincial government said a resident in their 80s from the far north had died.

It’s the second death reported in the region in three days. The province announced Monday a resident of La Loche had died.

The province also announced Wednesday there were 17 new cases of the virus — the highest single-day total since 18 cases were announced on April 5.

Eleven of the new cases are from the La Loche area, and four of five cases recorded in the north are part of an outbreak in Lloydminster. The other new case is from the Saskatoon area.

The provincial total stands at 383. The number of recoveries remained steady at 291.

Fifty-two of the 86 cases that are considered active are in the far north. There are 14 active cases in the north, which includes Lloydminster.

The new cases in that city have been linked to a cluster at the Lloydminster Hospital. Eight patients and five health-care workers have tested positive after transmission occurred in the hospital setting.

The government said the patients are being cohorted in separate units in the hospital. Non-COVID-19 patients who need to be admitted may be sent to another hospital, but the emergency department, emergency surgical and obstetrical services are still available at Lloydminster Hospital.

Other health-care workers who were in contact with one of the confirmed cases are being tested.

The number of people in hospitals in the province has increased to 10, with seven (four in Lloydminster and three in Saskatoon) receiving inpatient care and three in intensive care in Saskatoon.

The 383 cases comprise 154 community contacts, 137 travellers, 35 people with no known exposures, and 57 people who are under investigation by local public health.

The total includes 151 cases from the Saskatoon area, 75 from the Regina area, 74 from the north, 57 in the far north, 15 from the south, and 11 from the central region.

In terms of ages, 140 cases are in the 20-to-39 range, 129 are between 40 and 59, 69 are between 60 and 79, 34 involve people aged 19 or under, and 11 are aged 80 or over.

There were 474 tests done Tuesday, increasing the province’s total to date to 29,106.

Mass gatherings forbidden

The government noted that all mass gatherings in Saskatchewan are banned by public health orders, even if the participants meet physical distancing guidelines.

Some events have been held recently at which people did maintain two metres of separation. But the government noted that all gatherings with more than 10 people in attendance are in violation of the public health order.

More to come.