Latest COVID update Oct. 24

Saskatchewan reported its highest single-day total of new COVID-19 cases Saturday.

There were 78 new cases reported, increasing the province’s total to date to 2,669. The previous single-day high was 66, announced on Monday.

There were 33 new cases in Saskatoon and area and 21 in the Regina region.

There also were 11 new cases in the north-central area, one in the far northeast, two in the northwest, three in the northeast, three in the far northwest and one in the southeast. Three cases were also reported in the central east.

Investigators are determining the source of transmission for all new cases, but a news release from the province said community transmission in Saskatoon is “largely due to after-work socializing among young adults.”

Forty-seven cases have been linked to the outbreak at the Longbranch bar, 22 cases are linked to Diva’s Nightclub and seven are linked to Outlaws Country Rock Bar.

Transmission in Regina is a result of close family contacts with known cases as opposed to social activities.

Of the 21 people receiving care in hospital, 17  people are receiving inpatient care; eight in each of the Saskatoon and north zones and one in the Regina zone. Three people are in intensive care units in Saskatoon and one in Regina.

Of the 2,669 cases in the province, 302 are under investigation by local public health.

On Friday, 2,792 COVID-19 tests were performed in Saskatchewan.