An additional eight presumptive positive cases of COVID-19 have been identified, bringing the province's total now to sixteen. 

Two cases have been confirmed by national testing, while the remaining fourteen remain presumptive.

Fifteen of the sixteen cases are well enough to self-isolate at home at present; one presumptive positive case is in hospital for medical reasons not related to COVID-19.

Saqib Shahab, Saskatchewan's chief medical health officer, warns that we now have an instance that could signal community transmission in the province, meaning that rather than simply being imported via travel, the virus is actively communicable in the province.

“We have an instance where the contact investigation has not yet demonstrated a link to travel, which could signal local transmission. We will also see more cases linked to travel within Canada. Limit all non-essential travel at this time as part of the provincial and national effort to prevent transmission.”

The eight new individuals are:

  • An individual in their 30s who was tested in Regina;
  • An individual in their 40s who was tested after close contact with a previously announced case;
  • Two unrelated individuals who were both identified after travel to the United States;
  • Two individuals, one from Moose Jaw and one from Saskatoon, who were identified following travel to Vancouver.
  • And two individuals in Regina who were identified following travel to Mexico.

Note that demographic information on these presumptive positive cases is still being gathered as part of public health’s ongoing contact investigations.

All persons returning from international destinations, including the U.S., are required to self-isolate for 14 days upon return to Canada.

Public health officials are also requesting that all individuals on Sunwing flights WG540 and WG496 of March 14 self-isolate and actively monitor for symptoms.