COVID-19 in Saskatchewan: The week in review

There’s a lot of information that comes at you over the course of a week right now!

So each Friday, as part of our special coverage of COVID-19 in Saskatchewan, 650 CKOM will give you a quick wrap-up of the biggest developments. And some of the positive, inspiring stories coming out as people and businesses do their best to get through this together.

There were more cases this week. But it has not doubled, indicating the curve is not shooting up. There were even days that there were more people in the ‘recovered’ category than there were new cases of COVID 19.

We also learned about the worst case scenarios that Saskatchewan and Canada are planning for. It can be kind of confusing and frightening, but we’ll put it in perspective. Planners need to consider what they have to prepare for. So they look at models from other jurisdictions to see the infection rate-how many people every sick person will infect. And they factor that into so many beds, ventilators and so forth.

The hope is that measures like social distancing, and limits on gathering, will mean those numbers are much lower, but that’s what they need to be prepared for. And they say better to be ready and not need it.

Saskatchewan also continued to find a way to make life work in the middle of a pandemic, from a pre-school teacher visiting kids one-on-one to businesses shifting gears to make face shields and masks.

The numbers

The COVID-19 map as of April 10, 2020. (Government of Saskatchewan)

The province saw a ray of sunshine in its COVID-19 numbers this week, as recoveries outpaced new cases for several days in a row. By Friday, the new “active case” count Saskatchewan Health provided was down to 146 cases.

Here’s the summary:

285 total cases
136 recoveries
3 deaths (unchanged from last week)
146 active cases
6 inpatient hospital care cases
2 ICU cases

The Saskatchewan Health Authority also shocked some people with projections of infection rates, hospitalizations and deaths that they’re using for planning purposes. These computer models predict between 3,000 and 8,000 deaths throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

Good news and helping hands

Who knew ferrets could be the key? Researchers in Saskatoon are using the furry critters to test a potential COVID-19 vaccine that could help life return to normal all around the world.

Not a fan of livestreaming church? If you’re in the Strasbourg area, you would have been able try it drive-in style for Easter Sunday, but the SHA nixed that plan after hearing it on the radio.

Choirs can’t hold concerts right now, but they can still sing! The University of Saskatchewan’s Greystone Singers improvised this week by piecing together videos of them singing their parts to a song they were supposed to perform.

Rider Nation came together for a superfan’s 89th birthday, flooding her with well-wishes. Ethel Mongovious even got her own trading card out of the deal!

And as masks became a hot topic around the world, a designer in Regina stepped up to start making them for senior’s homes while businesses in both Saskatoon and Regina converted to start making face shields for healthcare workers.

Pandemic rule-breakers

Some people have a hard time being told to stay home. A Regina woman who tested positive for COVID-19 became the first person fined under mandatory self-isolation rules – a whopping $2,800 bill! This was after police asked her to stay home more than once.

More cancellations and delays

The Riders won’t be passing their “big play chain” around in June. The CFL is delaying the start to their season. But the Green and White are hoping to still get most of their games in – including hosting the Grey Cup.

Get used to parks and streets being quiet in Saskatoon. They are banning events and sports field rentals until at least Canada Day.

Week’s end smile

Viral challenges don’t stop in the middle of a pandemic. And Saskatchewan’s police officers still have the best entries.

Check out Regina police doing the TikTok stair challenge!

Proof that these RPS Constables are always on their toes – no matter the situation! #NightShiftFun #StairChallenge #StairShuffle #TikTok pic.twitter.com/eO7Gv5LAM0

— Regina Police (@reginapolice) April 6, 2020