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Sask. recoveries rise, one new case reported, forecasts show economic impact

One more case of COVID-19 was reported in Saskatchewan April 20, bringing the province to a total of 316 cases. Most of the confirmed positive cases have led to people stricken with the disease recovering.
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One more case of COVID-19 was reported in Saskatchewan April 20, bringing the province to a total of 316 cases.

Most of the confirmed positive cases have led to people stricken with the disease recovering. Out of the 316 cases, only 74 were considered active as of April 20, with 238 people having recovered from the disease - almost a full three quarters of all cases.

Cases of COVID-19 in the far north have spiked in the past week due to an outbreak at a personal care home in La Loche. Several cases at the home, including one resident, have been reported in recent days. As of April 20, 11 cases have been reported in the far north region, including nine active cases.

Four people in Saskatchewan have died from the disease. 

Testing and screening for COVID-19 is currently being done throughout the province, including in northern and remote communities. According to the provincial government, testing is currently available in Deschambault Lake and Pelican Narrows. 

While the locations are capable of testing and screening, patient assessment and care cannot be conducted at these locations and must be done at larger medical facilities.

Northern Saskatchewan residents are also able to be tested at the Manitoba testing station in Flin Flon at R.H. Channing Auditorium, according to a Saskatchewan health spokesperson.

People living in communities near Manitoba or who utilize Manitoba services, including Creighton, Denare Beach, Deschambault Lake, Pelican Narrows and Sandy Bay, are not affected by the Manitoba government’s mandatory 14 day self-isolation measure for travellers entering Manitoba.

Meanwhile, the provincial government released an economic forecast on how COVID-19 may impact Saskatchewan, showing three preliminary revenue statements April 17. Each of the three forecasts includes a drastic change in income for the province, ranging from a decline of $1.3 billion as the presented best-case scenario to as much as a $3.3 billion decline for the 2020-21 fiscal year.

The forecasted declines were based on how long restrictions related to COVID-19 may last, how soon prices in resource industries may recover from shutdowns and predictions of consumer behaviour.

All predictions from the Saskatchewan government for the province’s 2020-21 real GDP are negative, stretching from a decline of 4.1 per cent to as much as a 14.9 per cent drop.

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