Latest COVID update Oct. 29

For the second time in less than a week, Saskatchewan has recorded a single-day high in new cases of COVID-19.

In a media release Thursday, the Ministry of Health reported there were 82 new cases in the province. The previous single-day record of 78 was reported Saturday.

The new cases announced Thursday increased the provincial total to date to 2,990.

There were 37 cases reported in the Saskatoon area, with 13 in the Regina region, 11 in the north-central area, seven in the central-east zone, six in the northwest, three in the northeast, two in each of the south-central and southeast zones, and one in the southwest.

The number of active cases reported in the province now stands at 707. That includes 223 cases in the Saskatoon area, 124 in the north-central zone and 119 in the Regina region.

There were 41 recoveries reported, increasing that total so far to 2,258. To date, 25 people have died in Saskatchewan after testing positive for COVID-19.

There are 20 people in hospital, with six in intensive care. Four of those people are being treated in Saskatoon, with one in each of the north-central and Regina areas.

Of the 14 people receiving inpatient care, six are in the Saskatoon zone, four are in the north-central area, three are in the Regina region and one is in the northeast area.

The number of health-care workers to contract the virus is now 94, an increase of 12 over the past week.

There have been 727 cases to date in the Saskatoon area, which had a total of 393 cases at the start of the month.

There also have been 583 cases in the north area (188 northwest, 268 north-central, 127 northeast), 496 from the south zone (229 southwest, 213 south-central, 54 southeast), 436 in the far north (382 far northwest, 54 far northeast), 376 in the central area (196 central-west, 180 central-east) and 370 in the Regina region.

The hometowns of two cases are unknown.

The total number of cases comprises 1,473 community contacts, 761 without any known exposure, 398 that remain under investigation and 358 travellers.

The number of cases in the 20-to-39 age range now stands at 1,075. There have been 843 cases between the ages of 40 and 59, 603 involving people 19 and under, 389 from ages 60 to 79, and 80 involving people 80 and over.

There were 2,061 tests done in Saskatchewan on Wednesday, increasing the provincial total to date to 258,143.

According to the ministry, testing for the week of Oct. 19-25 found 175 active cases among children and youth. Since Sept. 7, there have been 25,386 tests done on children up to the age of 19.

Government provides clarification

On Wednesday, chief medical health officer Dr. Saqib Shahab issued a new public health order in the wake of outbreaks at Saskatoon nightclubs.

On Thursday, the government offered a clarification, pointing out that a nightclub is “an establishment at which the main activities are selling liquor and providing music to which patrons can dance.”

“This order is not intended to capture lounges, pubs, restaurants or liquor manufacturing facilities that have tasting rooms.”

The order, which is to come into effect Friday at 9 a.m., means nightclubs can’t sell alcohol after 10 p.m., until 9:30 a.m. the following day. That applies to patrons, staff and owners.

As well, nightclubs must be closed to customers from 11 p.m. until at least 9:30 a.m. the next day.

The order also requires all nightclubs in Saskatchewan to enforce a limit of six patrons per table or booth and to prohibit mingling among groups or tables. Karaoke and dance floors are prohibited and physical distancing is required.

As well, bars, nightclubs and other licensed establishments across the province are encouraged to record names and contact information for all customers in case contact tracing is required.

More to come.