Four new presumptive cases of COVID-19 in Saskatchewan; total at six

The Government of Saskatchewan announced Saturday four new presumptive cases of COVID-19 have been identified in the province.

There now are six cases in Saskatchewan. The provincial government announced its first presumptive case on Thursday and its second on Friday.

In a media release Saturday, the government said the first of the new cases is a health-care worker in their 30s who recently was in Nigeria and Germany as well as in Alberta. That person is recovering in their home community in northern Saskatchewan.

Two of the cases are individuals in their 40s who live in the same house in Regina.

“One recently travelled to Vancouver for a dental conference at which an attendee was later confirmed to have COVID-19,” the release said. “The two Saskatchewan residents were tested March 13 and are self-isolating while they recover.”

The fourth case is a person in their 20s who recently travelled to Tennessee. That individual was tested in Regina and now is self-isolating in their home community.

“Public Health officials are following up with individuals who had close contact with all of these cases and who may be at risk of developing COVID-19,” the province said. “You will be notified if you are a close contact and need to take further measures.”

Meanwhile, the province also unveiled new guidelines for residents who travel internationally and then return to Saskatchewan.

The Government and Canada and Saskatchewan’s chief medical health officer are urging travellers to return to Canada and to avoid non-essential international travel until further notice.

Those who return from other countries — including the U.S. — must self-isolate and watch for symptoms for 14 days after they return. Travellers coming from other locales in Canada also are advised to self-monitor for 14 days upon their return.

On Saturday, the University of Regina announced it was suspending all classes and labs from Monday through Thursday due to the threat of the virus. On Friday, classes will resume through what the school called “teaching at a distance.”

The University of Saskatchewan made a similar decision on Friday.