Number of active COVID-19 cases in Sask. at 47; lowest in more than two months

The number of active COVID-19 cases in Saskatchewan is at its lowest mark since March 21.

There was one new case reported Monday and six more recoveries, dropping the number of active cases in the province to date to 47. It hasn’t been that low since it was at 44 on March 21.

The new case increased the total to date to 646 — but that was the same number it was on Sunday.

“The total is unchanged because a sample reported as a positive case in Regina on May 27 was retested and found to be negative,” the government said in a media release. “A second sample was taken, which confirmed the negative result.”

The six recoveries increase that total so far in the province to 588. There have been 11 deaths due to complications from the virus in Saskatchewan to date.

There are four people in hospital, including two in intensive care in Saskatoon. Two people (one in Regina and one in Saskatoon) are receiving inpatient care.

Of the total number of cases, 382 are community contacts, 142 are travellers, 76 don’t have a known exposure, and 46 are under investigation by local public health officials.

The total includes 50 health-care workers.

So far, there have been 256 cases in the far north, 169 in the Saskatoon area, 112 in the north, 80 from the Regina area, 17 from the south and 12 in the central region.

The total comprises 230 cases in the 20-to-39 age range, 197 between the ages of 40 and 59, 106 in the 60-to-79 range, 95 involving people aged 19 and under, and 18 in the 80-and-over range.

The active case total includes 32 in the far north, six in Saskatoon, four in Regina, four in the north and one in the south. The central region doesn’t have any active cases.

There were 448 tests done Sunday, increasing the total to date in the province to 48,272.

Expanded testing coming

Anyone working outside the home or returning to work as part of the Re-Open Saskatchewan plan currently can be tested for COVID-19.

As of Friday, testing criteria in the province will expand to also include people being admitted to acute care for more than 24 hours (including expectant mothers), and immunocompromised people and their health-care providers.

The government stressed that false positive or false negative results can occur in the testing.

“False negative results may occur early in the course of the infection, for example if someone was tested too soon after being exposed to COVID-19,” the government’s release said. “Get tested again if symptoms develop.

“This is why it is crucial for Saskatchewan residents to continue to take precautions to stop the spread of COVID-19 at all times.”

RCMP rolls out figures

The Saskatchewan RCMP reported Monday its officers responded to 62 calls related to COVID-19 from May 22 through Friday.

There were 13 complaints of gatherings exceeding 10 people, three complaints of people failing to self-isolate when required to do so, and 46 other COVID-19-related calls.

The Mounties said they didn’t lay any charges in any of those situations.