Latest COVID update Nov. 6

The number of active COVID-19 cases being reported in Saskatchewan went over the 900 mark for the first time Friday.

In a media release, the Ministry of Health reported there were 87 new cases in the province and 53 more recoveries. That left the number of active cases at 911.

That number was 139 at the end of September.

Of the new cases reported Friday, 25 were in the Saskatoon area, 20 were in the Regina region and 11 were in the central-east zone. There also were eight cases in each of the far northwest and northwest areas, five in the southeast, three in the north-central, two in the south-central and one in each of the far northeast and southwest areas.

The hometowns of three new cases are pending.

The caseload reported Friday included nine positive results that couldn’t be reported Tuesday due to technical issues at the Roy Romanow Provincial Laboratory.

The total number of cases reported in Saskatchewan since March is now 3,623.

The recoveries announced Friday increased that total so far to 2,687. To date, there have been 25 deaths connected to COVID-19 in the province.

There are 33 people in hospital in Saskatchewan. That includes four people — two in Saskatoon and one in each of the north-central and Regina regions — in intensive care.

The 29 people receiving inpatient care are in the Saskatoon (10), north-central (eight), Regina (seven), northwest (three) and far northwest (one) areas of the province.

The number of Saskatchewan health-care workers who have been diagnosed with the virus now stands at 111, an increase of 12 this month alone.

There have been 967 cases in the Saskatoon area, 771 in the north, 516 from the south, 486 in the Regina region, 465 from the far north, and 413 in the central area. The hometowns of five cases currently aren’t known.

The total comprises 1,734 community contacts, 865 cases that don’t have any known exposures, 643 cases that are being investigated, and 381 travellers.

To date, 1,317 cases have been in the 20-to-39 age range, 1,026 have been between the ages of 40 and 59, 739 have involved people 19 and under, 449 have been aged 60 to 79, and 92 have been people aged 80 and over.

There were 2,217 tests processed in the province Thursday, increasing the total to date to 275,737.

Changes to public health orders

The ministry reminded residents that changes to provincial public health orders took effect Friday.

For the next 28 days, everyone must wear non-medical masks in indoor public places in Regina, Saskatoon and Prince Albert.

The government says posters are available to help businesses and organizations inform their customers about mask use. As well, businesses were urged to check the Re-Open Saskatchewan Plan for updated guidelines.

Also Friday, the maximum number of people who can attend indoor private gatherings dropped from 15 to 10.