Saskatchewan records third death due to COVID-19 complications

A third Saskatchewan resident has died due to complications from COVID-19.

In a media release Wednesday, the provincial government said a person in the 80-to-89 age group had died. The release didn’t say where the individual lived.

The first two deaths in the province were announced Monday.

There were nine new confirmed cases of the virus Wednesday, bringing the total in the province to date to 193.

The number of people who were said to be recovered also increased by nine, to 30.

“While we are deeply saddened by yet another death in our province, the new case number and recovery number in particular show that we are making a difference,” Premier Scott Moe said during a media conference. “But we still have a long road ahead of us.”

Four people remain in hospital, including three receiving inpatient care in Saskatoon and one in intensive care in Regina.

The province added a new classification to its breakdown of the cases Wednesday.

It said 87 are travellers, 41 are community contacts (including household contacts and mass gatherings) and eight don’t have any known exposures. There also are 57 cases still under investigation by public health officials.

According to the release, 24 cases can be traced to the snowmobile rally and dinner in Christopher Lake on March 14.

“We do expect more cases that will be labelled as local transmission without a known source of exposure,” said Dr. Saqib Shahab, the province’s chief medical health officer.

“That’s really important for us to remember that now it’s not just due to travel. We really need to accept that we have COVID-19 now as a risk in Saskatchewan and we need to redouble our efforts to protect ourselves, to protect those who are more vulnerable and really keep the curve as flat as possible.”

Of the 193 cases, 94 are from the Saskatoon area, 43 are from Regina, 37 are from the northern region of the province, nine are from the central area, seven are from the south and three are from the far north.

The age breakdown comprises 87 cases in the 20-to-44 range, 69 between 45 and 64 years of age, 31 who are 65 and over, and six aged 19 or under.

Saskatchewan has conducted 10,528 COVID-19 tests to date, the second-highest rate of testing per capita among the provinces.

The government continued to ask residents to take measures to help prevent the spread, from hand-washing to physical distancing. The province also has put in place restrictions, from closing non-essential businesses to limiting the size of gatherings to 10 people.

“Two weeks ago today I declared a state of emergency to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic in Saskatchewan and today I am extending that state of emergency for an additional two weeks,” Moe said.

“All of the orders that have been issued to date under the provincial state of emergency will continue and these measures I would say are working.”

Moe said he knows none of these things are easy, but they’re worth it.

“Together we are reducing the spread and we are collectively flattening the curve,” he said. “And this will mean, ultimately, fewer cases of COVD-19, this will mean fewer hospitalizations and this will mean fewer deaths.”

When asked when he thinks the restrictions might be lifted, Moe was hesitant to put a date on it. He said he’s hopeful it’ll be sooner rather than later, but said the province could still see increases in the days ahead.

Other provinces have begun to discourage interprovincial travel, but Moe said that’s not something Saskatchewan is planning on doing yet. He said if officials find there are cases related to that or there’s a cluster they want to keep contained, the province could end up looking at such measures.

Positive cases all isolating at home

Of those in Saskatchewan who have tested positive for COVID-19 and are now in isolation, Shahab said he’s not aware of a situation where someone is quarantined somewhere other than their home.

He was recently asked whether anyone was isolating in a hotel or other such facility.

“At this point, that situation does not exist in Saskatchewan,” he said during Monday’s media conference.

However, Shahab pointed out it is something that’s possible.

“We are looking at all options to support individuals isolating themselves as much as possible in their home, but if that’s not possible, other alternatives can be considered,” he said.

The key for the provincial government and health-care professionals is whether individuals show symptoms or not, they should not pose a danger to others.

“They should be no risk to anyone else whether it’s a public facility or whether it’s a health-care facility or any other facility,” said Shahab. “All those things are looked at very closely by public health.”

No outbreaks yet in long-term care

Long-term care facilities are on the province’s radar, due to the age of many of the residents living in them.

Shahab said the province isn’t aware of anyone from a long-term care home testing positive for the virus as of yet.

“But having said that, we already know that several provinces have had outbreaks in long-term care homes and that absolutely is the most vulnerable population,” Shahab said earlier this week.

“It is heartbreaking for families to not visit as frequently as we want to, but it is essential that we keep our family and loved ones safe by staying away for the next little while, as much as we can.”

All long-term care homes have looked at directives from residents and their families when it comes to dealing with a resident who is ill.

“In that sense, COVID-19 is not unlike influenza,” Shahab said. “Whenever we get influenza outbreaks in long-term care facilities — and they happen every year — unfortunately there are several residents who become seriously unwell and pass away.

“Not all families express a wish for transfer to hospital. Many families want a setting where there’s a guidance of palliative care where it’s provided.”

The government’s release Wednesday noted that facilities such as long-term and personal care homes, assisted living buildings and seniors condominiums must avoid activities where residents gather in one area.

That includes communal dining or other events that could result in more than 10 people gathering in one place at one time.

More to come.