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Saskatchewan's Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Saqib Shahab. (File photo/CKOM News Staff)
Clarification On Nightclub Restrictions

Province records 82 new cases of COVID-19 — highest single day total

Oct 29, 2020 | 2:28 PM

Today, the province is reporting 82 new cases of COVID-19, and 41 recoveries.

The new daily total is the highest single day number of cases the province has seen so far, with active cases (707) tripling since Oct. 13 (238).

The provincial total is now at 2,990 cases.

The new cases are located in the North West (six), North Central (11), North East (three), Saskatoon (37), Central East (seven), Regina (13), South West (one), South Central (two) and South East (two) zones.

There are public health investigations underway to determine the source of transmission for all new cases.

There are 20 people in hospital with 14 receiving inpatient care. Four of those patients are in the North Central zone, one in the North East zone, six in the Saskatoon zone and three in the Regina zone.

There are six people in intensive care with one in the North Central zone, four in Saskatoon and one in Regina.

Of the total cases, 358 are travellers, 1,473 are community contacts (including mass gatherings), 761 have no known exposures, and 398 are under investigation by local public health.

Overall in the province, 94 cases are healthcare workers (although not all were sourced from work) and 603 cases involve people 19 and under.

There are 1,075 cases in the 20 to 39 age range, 843 are in the 40 to 59 age range, 389 in the 60 to 79 age range, and 80 are in the 80-plus age range.

Fifty-one per cent of cases are females and 49 per cent are males.

There have been 25 COVID-19 related deaths reported to date.

There are:

  • 727 cases from the Saskatoon area
  • 583 cases from the north area (188 north west, 268 north central, 127 north east)
  • 496 cases from the south area (229 south west, 213 south central, 54 south east)
  • 436 cases from the far north area (382 far north west, 0 far north central, 54 far north east)
  • 376 cases from the central area (196 central west, 180 central east)
  • 370 cases from the Regina area
  • Two cases have pending residence location

To date, the province has performed 258,143 COVID-19 tests. Yesterday there were 2,061 tests performed.

The latest COVID-19 cases in Saskatchewan as of Oct. 29. (submitted photo/SHA)

New Public Health Order

Yesterday, the province announced a new public health order for nightclubs in Saskatchewan, along with particular regulations in the City of Saskatoon.

Below are two points of clarification:

  • For the purposes of this order, a “nightclub” means an establishment at which the main activities are selling liquor and providing music to which patrons can dance.
  • This order is not intended to capture lounges, pubs, restaurants, or liquor manufacturing facilities that have tasting rooms.

This order will come into effect on Friday, October 30 at 9:00 a.m.

The new order states:

  • The consumption of alcohol in all nightclubs is prohibited from the hours of 10 p.m. to 9:30 a.m. for all persons, including patrons, staff and owners;

Nightclubs must be closed to patrons at 11 p.m. until at least 9:30 a.m. the following day. Takeout food services are permitted.

The existing order also requires all nightclubs in Saskatchewan to adhere to the following guidelines:

  • Six patrons to a table or booth.
  • Static seated groupings – no mingling among groups/tables.
  • Karaoke and dance floors remain prohibited.
  • Business owners and operators must ensure physical distancing within their establishments.
  • As outlined in the Re-open Saskatchewan Guidelines, mask use is required for staff. It is strongly encouraged for patrons until they are seated.

It is recommended that all bars/nightclubs/licensed establishments in Saskatchewan take names and contact information of all patrons to assist contact tracing in the event of possible transmission.

If there is conflict between the Re-Open Saskatchewan Guidelines and the Public Health Order, the requirements under the Public Health Order prevail. Owners/event planners/hosts are encouraged to reach out to the Business Response Team for advice if they have further questions.

Business Response Team:

Phone: 1-844-800-8688
Email: supportforbusiness@gov.sk.ca
Website: www.saskatchewan.ca/covid19-businesses

Establishments that serve liquor in Saskatoon and across the province are urged to remain vigilant in their compliance with the Public Health Order and the Re-open Saskatchewan Guidelines.

Activities that do not follow public health orders or the ReOpen Saskatchewan Guidelines are at risk of being “superspreader” events. Hosts and businesses can be fined under the Public Health Act for failing to follow guidelines.

The latest COVID-19 cases in Saskatchewan plotted on a graph. Today’s cases are the highest daily total recorded. (Aaron Schulze/northeastNOW Staff)

Youth cases

The province is monitoring COVID-19 trends in school-aged children. The latest testing positivity rates over the last week have been released here.

NITHA communities

The Northern Inter-Tribal Health Authority released their daily COVID-19 update that are specific to their communities.

According to their Facebook page, three cases are active in the Far North West (two of which is in hospital).

There are 13 cases active in the Far North East, 29 cases active in the North Central, and 16 cases active in the North East, two of which are in hospital.

There are 139 cases (67 per cent) recovered.

NITHA is comprised of the Prince Albert Grand Council, Meadow Lake Tribal Council, Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation, and Lac La Ronge Indian Band.

The latest numbers specific to NITHA communities as of Oct. 29. (Submitted photo/NITHA)

panews@jpbg.ca

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