Sask. detects 2nd presumptive COVID-19 case

Sask. has its second presumptive COVID-19 case Officials update on the second presumptive COVID-19 case in Saskatchewan.

REGINA — The province has detected the second presumptive case of COVID-19 in Saskatchewan.

The second presumptive case, a person in their 60s, recently visited Oregon state in the U.S.A. The test was conducted in Saskatoon on March 10, and the patient has been able to isolate at home.

“All travelers, including those to the U.S.A., need to monitor their health for 14 days upon return to Canada and be prepared to stay home if you have a fever or cough,” Saskatchewan Ministry of Health Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Saqib Shahab said.

According to Premier Scott Moe, the Ministry of Health is coordinating a province-wide effort to prepare for the arrival of COVID-19.

Shahab has ordered that no public gatherings over 250 people should take place. This does not apply to schools, universities or workplaces where people are distributed into several rooms.

The province says it has doubled the capacity of its HealthLine after the line rang busy due to an influx of calls following the announcement of the first presumptive case on Thursday morning. Health Minister Jim Reiter said the line now has 69 lines available. Only 32 lines were open on Thursday when the first presumptive case was announced. He expects the call numbers to continue to increase in the coming days.

Shahab said school closures aren't being considered at this time because officials are trying to "limit social disruption." He added there hasn't been any virus transmission in the province yet.

Rural residents should contact their healthcare provider if they feel they need to set up a test, Shahab said.

The Saskatchewan Health Authority says it has opened two testing centres for COVID-19 in the province — one in Regina and one in Saskatoon as of Friday.

A third testing centre is scheduled to open in Prince Albert on Monday.