Despite some concerning COVID-19 modelling numbers presented earlier by the Saskatchewan Health Authority, Premier Scott Moe was still encouraged by the latest actual case numbers in the province.
Saskatchewan had 11 new, confirmed cases of COVID-19 as of April 8, bringing the provincial total to 271. But the number of active cases were down again by four cases, to 165. Fifteen more people had recovered as of Wednesday for a total of 103.
“I am encouraged by the actual case numbers we have seen in recent days,” said Moe.
“The social distancing measures that we are taking together are working. So far our case numbers, our hospitalization numbers have remained relatively low and somewhat manageable. And while the SHA continues to plan for a surge in cases and hospitalizations, as they should be, we have an opportunity to ensure those projections do not become a reality in Saskatchewan if we take the right steps.”
Premier Moe said one area they wanted to do better in was in testing. He noted yesterday the Roy Romanow provincial lab had done 900 tests, the highest so far. He said he asked the SHA to set a target of 1,000 tests a day, and to 1,500 a day by the end of April.
To date the province is reporting 15,621 COVID-19 tests have been performed.
As for when the restrictions would be lifted, Moe said it was still several weeks away. He did not provide a timeline for when it would start, but said when it does start “it will occur slowly, it will occur incrementally, it will occur thoughtfully and methodically. Continued testing and contact tracing will be key to determine whether we are controlling the spread and we begin to lift those restrictions.”
Moe made his comments at his latest daily update on the COVID-19 state of emergency, also attended by chief medical health officer Dr. Saqib Shahab.
Of the latest numbers released from the province:
There are eight people in hospitals in the province from COVID-19. Six are receiving inpatient care while two are in intensive care.
Of the 271 cases in the province, 119 cases are travellers; 90 are community contacts (mass gatherings included); 16 have no known exposures; and 46 are under investigation by local public health.
26 cases are health care workers; however the source may not be related to health care in all instances.
135 cases are from the Saskatoon area, 56 from Regina area, 51 from the north, 15 from the south, 10 from the central region and four from the far north.
15 cases involve people 19 years of age and under, 114 cases are 20-44; 94 are 45-64; and 48 are 65-plus.
The gender breakdown of cases is 54 per cent males and 46 per cent are females.
Three deaths related to COVID-19 have been reported to date; there were no new deaths reported Wednesday.
