Sask. reports 19 new COVID-19 cases; testing numbers continue to rise

Saskatchewan reported 19 new COVID-19 cases on Monday after a fifth straight day with more than 1,100 tests performed.

The provincial government’s daily media release announced 1,319 tests had been done in Saskatchewan, following reports of 1,339 tests on Saturday and 1,295 on Sunday. There also were 1,157 tests reported Thursday and 1,139 on Friday.

The single-day high for tests performed in Saskatchewan remains 1,348 on March 22.

Universal testing started in the province last Tuesday. Anyone can ask for a test whether they have symptoms or not; all that’s required is a call to HealthLine 811.

The new cases — eight in the central region, five in the Saskatoon area, five in the south and one in the north — increased the total in the province to date to 962.

Three more people were said to have recovered in the province, increasing that number so far to 802. To date, 15 residents of the province have died due to complications from COVID-19.

There are 145 active cases, the highest-such number since there were 152 active cases on May 16.

There currently are 63 active cases in the central region, 47 in the south, 19 in the Saskatoon area, seven in the Regina region, five in the north and four in the far north.

There are 10 people in hospital. Seven individuals — five in Saskatoon, one in the south and one in the north — are receiving inpatient care. Two people are in intensive care in Saskatoon and one is in the ICU in the south.

The total number of cases comprises 519 community contacts, 184 travellers, 167 individuals without any known exposures, and 92 who are under investigation by local public health officials.

To date, 58 health-care workers have been infected.

There have been 340 cases in the far north, 211 from the Saskatoon area, 124 from the north, 120 in the south, 87 in the Regina area and 80 from central Saskatchewan.

The total includes 331 cases in the 20-to-39 age range, 300 between the ages of 40 and 59, 167 from 60 to 79 years of age, 133 involving people 19 and under, and 31 in the 80-and-over range.