Province begins Phase 4 of reopening plan

Only one new case of COVID-19 was reported on Monday, which also marked the next stage of Phase 4 of the province’s reopening plan.

The number of active cases in the province now sits at 87.

According to a government news release, the new case is located in the far north region.

The total number of COVID -19 cases now stands at 779. A total of 679 people have recovered from the virus.

Over the weekend, there were seven new cases of COVID-19 reported, all which were in the far north.

Five people are currently receiving in-patient care at hospitals in the province, three in the north, one in Saskatoon and one in the south. There are currently no COVID-19 patients in intensive care.

As of June 27, Saskatchewan’s per capita rate for COVID-19

testing was 48,781 people tested per million. The national rate was 71,209 people tested per million.

Testing is available for anyone working outside the home or returning to work as part of the Reopen Saskatchewan plan and for people being admitted to acute care for more than 24 hours, including expectant mothers. Testing is also available for immunocompromised individuals and their health care providers.

Monday also marked the start of the second part of Phase 4 of the province’s reopening plan. Under the plan, movie theatres, libraries, museums, galleries and live theatres are able to reopen.

Two of the major movie theatre chains in the province, Landmark and Cineplex, are set to reopen on Friday.

Other facilities listed under Phase 4 — including indoor sports facilities, rinks, casinos and bingo halls — have not yet received a reopening date.

The government also announced it is further extending support services for youth who would normally be aging out of care during the pandemic.

Approximately $1.5 million will be spent to extend the supports until Jan. 5, 2021. It will increase the number of people eligible for extended supports from 44 to nearly 180. Youth will still have the option of transitioning out earlier if they wish.

The province said it made the decision to give individuals more choice in their planning to transition to independence.