COVID-19 cases in far north Saskatchewan took another big jump Friday, days before some Saskatchewan businesses are set to reopen.
Twenty-six new confirmed cases of the disease were announced province-wide May 1, with 19 more cases reported in and around La Loche. Four of the new cases have been reported in Lloydminister, with the rest in Saskatoon.
Active cases of COVID-19 have climbed back above 100, with 112 cases now considered active. Saskatchewan also climbed over the 400 total case mark Friday, having now reported 415 confirmed COVID-19 cases. As of May 1, 77 cases have been reported in far northern Saskatchewan, including 68 active cases. Fifty-eight cases have been reported in and around La Loche.
A new outbreak in northern Saskatchewan has been reported - this time, in Prince Albert. A case of COVID-19 has been reported at Victoria Hospital in the city, leading the province to declare an outbreak at the site.
"Contact tracing and investigation is underway to ensure all contacts are identified and testing has been completed on all known contacts," said a provincial government news release.
The Saskatchewan government also offered clarification on restrictions to travel in northern regions, advising only critical travel within the region during COVID-19.
"The only people who should be travelling to the north are people returning to their primary residence and people going to La Ronge or Stony Rapids. No one should be stopping in between communities or travelling between them," said a government release.
Northern Saskatchewan residents needing to travel to a nearby community to buy supplies, food, goods or services are allowed to do so under the order. Residentss in communities near a provincial border, including Creighton and Denare Beach, are able to go across the border into Flin Flon for goods, services or for work or medical care.
Communities without grocery stores have been asked to create bulk purchasing plans for people within the community so long trips away from town can be avoided.
People are advised to limit any outing to one person per household or limit vehicle use to members from the same household. Carpooling and ride-sharing should be discontinued, as per the government request.
Any person showing any symptoms of COVID-19 is advised to stay home and not travel, even within their own community.
