Sask. sees more cases, theft of supplies

Saskatchewan announced nine new cases of the novel coronavirus on Friday, bringing its total to 104, including two staff at a Saskatoon jail.

The Ministry of Corrections and Policing said the two workers at the Saskatoon Correctional Centre have been told to self-isolate at home while public health officials trace their contacts.

A spokesman said no inmates had tested positive for COVID-19, but one unit was under quarantine due to what’s believed to be another illness.

Bob Bymoen, president of the Saskatchewan Government and General Employees’ Union, said increased testing for corrections workers, deputy sheriffs and inmates is needed.

The government said restrictions have been placed on the movement of inmates, programs have been suspended and more thorough cleaning protocols are being followed.

Premier Scott Moe has also said the province is looking at options for how to handle provincial inmates during the pandemic, but nothing has been decided.

Some advocacy groups have called for non-violent inmates to be released, but Saskatchewan Justice Minister Don Morgan said there isn’t a plan for that.

The Ministry of Health says about 7,500 tests have been performed in the province so far.

Chief medical health officer Dr. Saqib Shaha said tests need to be conserved for those who really need them - anyone with a cough and fever and health-care workers with symptoms.

“At this point we are not short on testing supplies ... but we do know that this situation is going to continue for several weeks to months,” he said.

Not every case will be able to get tested, Shahab said.

Also Friday, the Saskatchewan Health Authority said some masks, gowns and shields used by doctors and nurses are possibly being stolen from some facilities.

B.C. measures appear to have slowed the increase

British Columbia’s provincial health officer says she’s starting to see “glimmers of hope” in an apparent shift toward flattening the curve of COVID-19 cases in the province.

The provincial government released its current and worst-case scenario data on the COVID-19 pandemic Friday. The numbers show the province more closely mirrors the South Korean experience rather than the situation in Italy.

Data suggests travel restrictions and physical distancing are beginning to have an impact. The trajectory of new cases in

B.C. changed from a 24 per cent average daily increase to 12 per cent as of March 21.

“I’m trying not to over-call it but I do believe we’ve seen a flattening, a falling off of that curve,” Dr. Bonnie Henry told a news conference.

“I think it is working and I want to tell people what you are doing is making a difference and we need to keep it up for the next coming weeks.”

She warned that B.C. is still vulnerable to outbreaks and clusters of cases. The province expects to announce new cases over the coming weeks, she said, so vigilance is crucial.

There have been places where physical distancing was relaxed too soon and cases have risen again, she said.

British Columbia has often led the country in the number of cases reported since the novel coronavirus was first identified in Canada. However, Henry said she believes the models show the province is looking at a lower growth rate of cases because of the early mitigation measures it took.

A model for the rest of Canada shows daily case increases stood at an average of 31 per cent but rose to 39 per cent when Quebec started including probable cases in its reports.

More restrictions in Manitoba, first death

Manitoba reported the province’s first death related to COVID-19 on Friday and is reducing the size of public gatherings to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus.

A Winnipeg woman in her 60s who was in intensive care earlier this week has died, said Dr. Brent Roussin, the province’s chief public health officer.

“It’s a tragic loss. It’s a Manitoban that we lost and our hearts go out to their friends and family,” Roussin said. “But this is our time to act now.

“To stay home if you can, practice good social distancing, wash your hands ... all Manitobans have a role to limit days like this.”

Roussin also reported three additional cases of COVID-19, bringing the total in the province to 39. There was no immediate information on whether the people had travelled or had caught the virus from someone in the community.

Starting Monday, public gatherings are to be capped at 10 people, down from the current 50.

The ban will apply to church services, weddings and other events indoors and out.

It will not apply to health facilities, homeless shelters and retail businesses, although Roussin said stores will be required to ensure customers maintain social distancing of one to two metres.