Saskatchewan has reported a seventh death from COVID-19 and its highest jump in new cases in days.
A person in their 60s living in the north region was reported to have died from the disease May 20, the seventh person in Saskatchewan to have died from COVID-19. Along with the announcement of the death came news of another spike in Saskatchewan cases - 21 in total.
Sixteen of the 21 total cases were reported in the far north, with all but one of those cases reported in either La Loche (nine new cases) or Beauval (six new cases). One new case was reported in Saskatoon, while four other cases were found in the north region. One hundred and two of Saskatchewan's 120 active COVID-19 cases are in the far north of the province.
Creighton, Flin Flon, Denare Beach, Pelican Narrows, Deschambault Lake, Sandy Bay and other Saskatchewan communities near Flin Flon are located in the far north region. There is no indication that any of the cases reported have been found in any of those communities.
Travel restrictions to northern Saskatchewan were loosened up for north central and northeast Saskatchewan May 19, but travel restrictions remain in effect for La Loche, Beauval and other northwestern communities.
Phase two of Saskatchewan's provincial reopening plan was rolled out Tuesday to much fanfare. Businesses located in COVID-19 hotbed communities are not subject to the reopenings.
