A Saskatchewan person in their 80s has died due to COVID-19, the third person in the province to die from the disease since the outbreak began.
The death was announced through a provincial update April 1. The community where the person was from has not been confirmed by the province. No casualties from the disease have been confirmed in the "far north" region, containing Creighton and nearby communities.
Nine more cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in Saskatchewan, with the total number of province-wide positive cases now ranking at 193. Nine new recoveries from COVID-19 were also confirmed. In total, 30 people who have tested positive for the disease in Saskatchewan have recovered.
Out of the 193 total cases in Saskatchewan, 87 have been linked to travel. Forty-one cases have been contracted through community contact, with eight having no known exposures. The remaining cases are still under provincial investigation.
Three cases of COVID-19 have been reported in the far north region, with two of the cases confirmed as recoveries. A total of 37 cases have been reported in the north, located further south than Creighton. Twenty-four cases have been tracked back to a snowmobile rally dinner in Christopher Lake March 14.
Saskatoon has reported more cases than any other region in the province, having had 94 reported positive tests.
More than 10,500 COVID-19 tests have been processed at the Roy Romanow Provincial Laboratory in Regina.
Mental health
Also announced April 1 as an increase in funding for mental health and addictions care through the provincial health ministry. The Ministry of Health will invest an additional $33 million into the care sectors.
“Living through this uncertain and distressing time has caused some level of worry for us all,” Premier Scott Moe said in a news release. “Just as people should be caring for their physical health during this pandemic, it’s important to pay attention to our mental health too. Whether you’re coping with the loneliness of self-isolation, concerned about the health of your loved ones or worried about what the future may hold, there are mental health supports available to help you through this difficult time.”
