Province Records Sixth Death And 17 New Cases

With the province scheduled to Re-Open Saskatchewan another death and 17 more active cases of COVID -19 were reported on Wednesday.

The death of a man in his eighties from the Far North region brings the provincial death toll to six from the virus.

The new cases were comprised of 11 from the far north (La Loche), five in the north region (four cases centered at the Lloydminster hospital) and one in Saskatoon.

The Lloydminster infection numbers are part of a larger cluster of 13 cases centered at the Border City's Lloydminster Hospital.

The Lloydminster cluster involves five health care workers and eight patients.

Earlier in April the Saskatchewan Health Authority mandated all staff must wear masks and other protective gear in patient areas of hospitals.

The Lloydminster Hospital is located in Saskatchewan.

Due to the clusters occuring the Province's five stage phased in easing of its State of Emergency restrictions set to begin on May 4th have been postponed in the Far North region as well as Lloydminster. No definite date has been announced as to when restrictions will be lifted in those two regions.

The Far North region has an essential travel (both into and out of) in effect. There are roads blocks turning people around.

The absence of a manned road block does not allow people in or out of the Far North region for non-essential travel a move which has angered many cabin owners according to media reports.

Additionally the government has said the easing of some restrictions combined by warm weather does not mean large gatherings are now allowed.

The Province still has a maximum gathering rule of ten people unless they are from the same family and living in the same household.

Two large planned events has resulted in warnings being given as well as a reminder about maintaining physical spacing of two meters if possible between people who are not living in the same household.

Other restrictions reminders have been issued on are restaurant dining facilities (both indoor and outdoor) remain closed under the provincial State of Emergency. Both are set to re-open under restrictions at a still unannounced later date.