Saskatchewan will go into the Labour Day long weekend with 36 active cases of COVID-19.
Numbers released Friday show four new cases of the virus and four new recoveries. The new cases are located in the North Central, West Central, Southwest and South Central zones and bring the provincial total to 1,638.
Three people are in hospital with one of those three in Saskatoon receiving intensive care.
Health Minister Jim Reiter says that as we head into the fall, people should be very aware of their symptoms.
“As we return to school, and as we move more and more activities indoors, all residents should be monitoring for symptoms of COVID-19,” said Reiter. “Together we can limit the transmission of COVID-19 in our communities.”
The ministry of health is also letting Saskatchewan people know that drive-through testing sites will be open September 8 in Regina and September 10 in Saskatoon, in addition to the testing and assessment centres currently open.
In Saskatchewan, testing is universally available to anyone who requests it, regardless of whether they have symptoms or not, and the drive-through service provides an additional option in the two cities that account for approximately half of Saskatchewan’s provincial testing each day.
Regina – Open as of Tuesday, September 8
International Trade Centre at Evraz Place – Hall C, 1700 Elphinstone Street
Tuesdays and Thursdays – 4 pm – 8 pm
Saturdays – 8 am – 4 pm
Saskatoon – Open as of Thursday, September 10
3630 Thatcher Avenue
Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays – 12 pm – 7:15 pm
Saturdays and Sundays – 8:30 am – 4 pm
You do not require a referral from HealthLine 811 or a family physician or nurse practitioner to access the drive-through locations; however, a valid Saskatchewan Health Card will be required for each person getting tested. A Canadian Armed Forces number or Interim Federal Health identification will also be accepted.
You will be required to wear a mask during the registration process.
The drive-through sites will be first come, first served so there may be some wait times. You must wait in your vehicle.
Voluntary in-school testing will also start September 14.
The first three locations for voluntary in-school testing are:
Campbell Collegiate, Regina – Wednesday, September 16
Holy Cross, Saskatoon – Thursday, September 17
Carlton Comprehensive High School, Prince Albert – Thursday, September 17 and Friday, September 18
With school starting next week, Provincial Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Saqib Shahab says he’s confident in what schools are doing to be safe.
“I’ve had the pleasure of visiting a few schools, both high schools and elementary schools in the Regina area, and it’s been really reassuring to see all the hard work staff have been putting in this past week, getting ready for school,” said Shahab.
Parents can expect consent forms to be distributed to students on Wednesday, September 9.