Province records two new virus cases, youngest death

20 to 39 age group being affected more than any other, increased testing urged

There are 47 known active cases of COVID-19 in Saskatchewan as of Wednesday.

The government has reported two new cases, one in Saskatoon and one in the North, as well as nine recoveries.

This brings the provincial total to 808 reported cases.

Three people are in hospital — two are receiving in-patient care in the North and one in Saskatoon. No one is in intensive care.

On Tuesday, provincial medical officer Dr. Saqib Shahab spoke about Saskatchewan’s 15th deadly case of coronavirus.

The person who died was in the 20-29 age range and tested positive for COVID-19.

The person was the youngest to die in Saskatchewan while diagnosed with the illness. The person was a resident of the North, a region that includes Prince Albert, Meadow Lake, Lloydminster, Melfort and the Battlefords.

All of the 14 other Saskatchewan people who died after contracting COVID -19 were between the ages of 50 and 90.

So far, 284 people aged 20 to 39 have tested positive for COVID -19 in Saskatchewan, more than any other age group.

“We continue to see increasing numbers of cases in all age groups, especially the young,” Shahab explained. “And this really is a reminder that, as we enjoy the summer, we need to continue to focus on physical distancing.”

Shahab also emphasized the importance of testing, to trace and cut down on community transmission.

Saskatchewan’s rate of testing is far below the national rate — 52,514 per million population here, compared with 80,347 nationwide.

Symptoms can include fever, cough, shortness of breath, headaches, aches and pains, sore throat, chills, runny nose, or a loss of smell or taste — or there can be no symptoms at all.

To be tested for COVID-19, call Healthline 811 or your family physician. A nurse will assess you over the phone; if you require testing, you’ll be directed to a testing site.