A woman washes her hands at a grocery store cleaning station earlier this year (paNOW Staff)

By paNOW Staff

COVID-19

Four COVID-related deaths, 72 new cases across North

Dec 24, 2020 | 2:10 PM

The latest daily report from the Government of Saskatchewan shows four residents who tested positive for COVID-19 have died. One new death in the age group 80+ was reported in the North West zone.

There are 72 new cases across the North. In total there are 154 new cases, bringing the provincial total to date to 14,255 cases.

Meanwhile there is a change in the way hospitalization numbers are to be reported.

The new cases are located in the Far North West (10), Far North East (14), North West (17), North Central (28), North East (3), Saskatoon (30), Central West (2), Central East (10), Regina (25), South Central (3) and South East (3) zones. Nine (9) new cases have pending residence information.

Of the cases, 3,346 cases out of the 14,255 cases are considered active. A total of 10,775 individuals have recovered.

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(Government of Saskatchewan)

As of December 23, 2020, 1,786 doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine have been provided to health care workers in Regina as part of the initial pilot and Saskatoon as part of Phase 1.

The seven-day average of daily new cases is 203 (16.7 new cases per 100,000 population) and is now available on the Government of Saskatchewan website. This chart compares today’s average to data collected over the past several months. Please visit https://dashboard.saskatchewan.ca/health-wellness/covid-19/seven-day-average-of-new-covid-cases.

(Aaron Schulze/northeastNOW)

An analysis of the data from the last month shows COVID-19 deaths have more than doubled in 16 days (66 on Dec. 8. 134 on Dec. 24).

However, active cases are at their lowest point since Nov. 28 (3,322).

There have been three straight days of new cases under 200 per day.

Reconciliation of Hospitalized Residents

The provincial dashboard reports that 125 people are in hospital. One hundred and four people are receiving inpatient care: two in the Far North West, four in the North West, 18 in the North Central, three in the North East, 40 in the Saskatoon, two in the Central West, four in the Central East, 25 in the Regina, two in the South West and four in the South East zones. Twenty-one people are in intensive care: one in the North West, six in the North Central, ten in the Saskatoon, three in the Regina and one in the South West zones.

With Saskatchewan updating definitions of the COVID-19 infectious period to align with national definitions, the COVID-19 data set correction resulted in the number of individuals hospitalized due to COVID-19 being under-reported in the daily, provincial report. As of December 22, 2020, there were an additional 40 COVID-19 patients in hospital, including nine in ICU, who have been receiving care, resulting in the reported case number of 165. The Saskatchewan Health Authority is working on a process to ensure these numbers are included in the daily case reports. The provincial dashboard will have a notation added while this process is finalized.

These are not new hospitalizations. These are patients no longer infectious for COVID-19, which had shifted them from active to recovered cases, but still experiencing the complications of COVID-19 illness. Validation processes are in place to report a complete census of patients in hospital, including ICU, due to COVID-19. The Ministry of Health is currently reviewing how these cases are reported in other Canadian jurisdictions.

Public Health Measures Effective December 25

For more information on the public health measures that take effect Friday, December 25, or to see the Public Health Order, visit https://www.saskatchewan.ca/covid19-measures.

Weekly Reporting of Testing Numbers and Cases for Youth

The trends of COVID-19 cases in school-aged children are being monitored. The weekly report of cases and testing numbers for children aged 0-19, including data by age and positivity rates, has been posted at www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19-Safe-Schools-Plan.

Drive-thru Testing Sites’ Holiday Hours

As we move through the holiday season, please be aware that the COVID-19 drive-thru testing sites will have modified hours. Please check the Government of Saskatchewan website for all of the dates and times for drive-thru testing: https://www.saskatchewan.ca/government/health-care-administration-and-provider-resources/treatment-procedures-and-guidelines/emerging-public-health-issues/2019-novel-coronavirus/testing-information.

Case Information Posting through December

The daily provincial case information, including news release and dashboard, will be posted December 24; December 27; and December 29 through December 31. Updates will not be available on December 25, 26, 28 and January 1. Case information from those dates will be included in the next, scheduled information posting.

General COVID-19 Information

General public inquiries may be directed to COVID19@health.gov.sk.ca.

panews@jpbg.ca