Saskatchewan has first presumptive case of coronavirus

Saskatchewan is confirming the first presumptive case of the COVID-19 coronavirus in Saskatoon.

The person was tested on Monday in Saskatchewan and has been well enough to self-isolate in their home. According to a news release, the person is in their 60s and had recently travelled to Egypt.

Public health is finding any close contacts the person has had and will contact them. People are being told that if they don’t get a call from public health, then they are not at risk of getting coronavirus from that person.

The provincial lab reported the positive sample Thursday, and it’s been forwarded to the national lab in Winnipeg for confirmation.

“While the risk of acquiring COVID-19 in Saskatchewan continues to be low, increased testing will assist us in detecting cases as early as possible and delaying the spread of the illness as long as possible,” Saskatchewan’s chief medical health officer, Dr. Saqib Shahab, said in a news release.

“But it is critical that residents take precautions to protect themselves against respiratory illness. Wash your hands frequently, practise good cough and sneeze hygiene and stay home if you are sick.”

The current guidelines say that anyone arriving back from travel anywhere should monitor themselves for two weeks for symptoms, including fever, cough or difficulty breathing, for 14 days after getting back.

Anyone with even mild symptoms is asked to stay home and call HealthLine 811 for advice.

The ministry has a list of tips for people to protect themselves against getting sick:

• Wash your hands frequently – for at least 20 seconds
• Do not touch surfaces and then your mouth, eyes or nose
• Use tissues when you cough or sneeze and dispose of them immediately, use your elbow if a tissue not available
• Practice social distancing by not shaking hands, hugging, etc.
• Stay home if you become ill and prevent the spread of the illness

More to come.